On Wednesday, the Pejë Basic Court ordered one month of pre-trial detention for Albert Sylaj, suspected of killing his former sister-in-law, Arlinda Zekaj, in Vitomirica village of Pejë on October 25, minutes after she had returned home from the police station where she had reported domestic violence by ex-husband, Jeton Sylaj.

According to a prosecution file obtained by Kallxo.com, Albert Sylaj is suspected of killing Zekaj in ‘retaliation’ for reporting his brother Jeton, her ex-husband, for domestic violence.

According to the prosecution, after Zekaj returned home, Sylaj entered her bedroom armed with an axe and struck her several times.

“She tried to hide behind the door, but he struck her repeatedly, mainly on the head, killing her at the scene,” the file reads.

The prosecution file further states that, the killing took place in the presence of Zekaj’s son (12), and the suspect’s children and mother.

The prosecution noted that Sylaj should remain in custody because he fled the scene of the murder, was on the run between October 25 and 27, and “there is a risk he could influence witnesses, conceal evidence, or commit further offences.”

They cited four previous criminal convictions against Sylaj, concluding that, “he posed a risk of reoffending.”

Three days before her death, on October 22, Zekaj submitted a written request warning  Peja Chief prosecutor Lumturije Vuçetaj to intervene ‘urgently’ to save her life. She also called for measures against officials who, she alleged, were not respecting the court’s decision in regards to her son’s custody.

Hours before she was murdered on October 25, Zekaj reported domestic violence by her former husband to the police. Her ex-husband Jeton was taken into custody the same day. Minutes after the Kosovo police escorted Zekaj back home, Albert killed her.

Kallxo.com learned that, on October 22, Zekaj had also contacted the police to report that the court’s decision on her son’s custody was not being respected. She also reported death threats from her brother-in-law, Albert, but he was only interviewed as a witness.

That same day, Zekaj informed the police that, “other people were staying at her home against her will.”

Inside the house, police found her ex-husband’s mother, her brother-in-law, Albert Sylaj, the suspected perpetrator, and his two children.

On Tuesday her ex-husband Jeton Sylaj was also remanded in custody for 30 days on suspicion of disobeying a court order. 

Zekaj’s killing has caused hundreds of people to protest in Prishtina on Wednesday, demanding institutional accountability, resignations, and urgent measures against femicide and gender-based violence.

On Tuesday, feminist NGO QIKA staged a symbolic protest at the Ministry of Justice, placing signs at its entrance reading: “Arlinda did what was needed, but you, Donika, did not. Step down.” The protest was in response to remarks made by Justice Minister Donika Gërvalla during an extraordinary parliamentary session on Monday, when she said it was “unfortunate that Arlinda did not turn to the government” for help, suggesting that more could have been done to intervene had she done so.

Protesters called for the resignations of Justice Minister Donika Gervalla, Internal Affairs Minister Xhelal Svecla, and Peja Mayor Gazmend Muhaxheri. Organisers said the protest would continue on Thursday.

In a government meeting on Wednesday, Prime Minister Albin Kurti blamed the judiciary, saying that in Kosovo “unfortunately, justice does not protect the weak. On the contrary, it has often sided with the strong.”

 Kurti has given the Justice Ministry and the Ministry of Internal Affairs until Thursday afternoon to submit reports on the procedures and measures followed in handling Zekaj’s case and her requests for help, warning that “measures will be taken.”

Zekaj was the seventh woman killed by a family member in Kosovo in 2026.