Koci: If Kurti does not dismiss the ministers, his resignation should also be demanded

Lawyer Arianit Koci said that Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti should dismiss ministers who refuse to resign over the murder of Arlinda Zekaj, stressing that if he keeps them in office, he should also be held accountable.

In a Facebook post, Koci reacted to calls for the resignations of Justice Minister Donika Gervalla and Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla, saying that responsibility should not end with the ministers.

“The ministers are refusing to resign? The prime minister should dismiss them. If he keeps them in office, then his resignation should also be demanded,” Koci wrote.

Arlinda Zekaj was murdered on October 25, and her former brother-in-law is suspected of the crime. Zekaj had reported domestic violence, including on the very day she was killed. On that occasion, however, her former husband was taken into custody.

She had previously also turned to institutions seeking protection, which she did not receive, prompting public outrage in Kosovo. Her murder sparked protests, with citizens and political representatives demanding the resignations of Justice Minister Donika Gervalla and Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla.

Meanwhile, Kosovo Police Director Gazmend Hoxha has resigned. In a letter addressed to the prime minister, he stated that the system for handling and preventing domestic violence cases was not functioning with an adequate level of accountability and efficiency.

The day before Hoxha's resignation, Kosovo Police suspended 11 officers over their handling of the case. In addition, Lumturije Vucetaj, Chief Prosecutor of the Basic Prosecution Office in Pec, and the prosecutor handling the case, Arlinda Nalbani Gaxhaferi, were also suspended.