From Dw · · 1m 10s
Kosovo protests over femicide victim's state neglect
Kosovo protesters accuse authorities of failing to protect femicide victim Arlinda Zekaj.
In brief
Kosovo protesters accuse authorities of failing to protect femicide victim Arlinda Zekaj. Kosovo protesters demand police and ministers resign after state ignored femicide victim's pleas for protection. Originally reported by Dw.
Protesters pour red paint
Protesters poured red paint onto steps outside Kosovo's government building after Arlinda Zekaj's murder.
“The state killed Arlinda”
Arlinda's repeated police pleas
Arlinda Zekaj repeatedly asked police for protection but they said she was exaggerating.
Police ignored protection requests
Police ignored Zekaj's requests for protection against her husband's family after she reported him arrested.
Arlinda murdered at home
Arlinda Zekaj was brutally murdered in her bedroom with an axe by her brother-in-law Albert Sylaj.
Eighth femicide in 2026
This was the eighth femicide in Kosovo in 2026 and the most brutal in recent years.
Protests across Kosovo
Thousands protested nationwide demanding police and ministers resign after state ignored femicide victim's pleas.
Ministers refuse to resign
Interior and Justice Ministers rejected calls to step down despite protests demanding their resignation.
“They won't be able to sleep; the flames will consume them”
State institutions failed
Kosovo government acknowledged state institutions failed to protect femicide victims.
“Kurti acknowledged that certain state institutions had "failed."”
The bottom line
Kosovo protesters demand police and ministers resign after state ignored femicide victim's pleas for protection.
