By Fatma Younis
Thousands of protesters marched through Pristina on Wednesday, splashing red paint on government buildings to demand state action after eight women were killed in domestic violence incidents in Kosovo this year.
Protest sparked by Arlinda Zekaj's killing
The rally was called after Arlinda Zekaj, 49, was killed by her brother-in-law on Sunday near the western town of Peja. Zekaj, who held dual U.S. and Kosovo citizenship, had written to the chief prosecutor's office three days before her death warning that she could be killed. She had previously reported violence from her husband and moved in with her parents, but returned home after her husband was detained for family violence. Police provided no escort, and her brother-in-law killed her with an ax; he fled and was arrested several days later.
Activists blame institutional failures
The Kosovo Women's Network, one of the protest organizers, said the case raises serious questions about a possible failure in the chain of institutions. The group demanded that all institutions act in coordination when a woman seeks help. Although Kosovo has passed laws including life sentences for murderers, activists say implementation remains inconsistent and uncoordinated among police, social services, prosecutors and courts.
Parliament and prime minister respond
Kosovo's Parliament convened an urgent session on Monday and established a parliamentary investigative committee to examine possible institutional responsibility. Prime Minister Albin Kurti blamed a systemic chain of failures by institutions responsible for security and justice, calling the murder preceded by unanswered warnings unforgivable.
Domestic violence statistics
According to the Justice Ministry, police received 2,815 reports of domestic violence in 2025 in Kosovo, a country of around 2 million people. Three men have been sentenced to life in prison for killing their partners since the punishment was introduced in 2012.
