Svecla disclosed that, through the Kosovo Police Inspectorate, all actions and inactions by the Kosovo Police have been verified over the reports and requirements for defence of Arlinda.
He announced that, given the findings of the report, 19 police officials, including the regional director of police in Pec, chief of regional investigation, commander and deputy commander of the Police Station in Pec have been suspended, as well as other officials from the chain of command and the investigation sector.
Identified skeletons include failing to execute the first command for protection, delay in executing the second command for protection, as well as ignoring the request for risk reassessation, Svechla said.
According to him, the report records serious violations by several police officials and members of the chain of command in Pec, while the findings are expected to be addressed and assessed by the Prosecutor.
The minister announced that the report on the actions of the Kosovo Police and the Police Inspectorate had handed over to Prime Minister Albin Kurti, while stressing that further investigations could highlight facts and other responsibilities.
He stressed that suspensions are not enough without a thorough investigation and definition of responsibility for any official who has neglected his duties.
No uniform, no rank and no command post can serve as a shield to responsibility, the minister said.
Svecla added that Arlinda Zekiaj had sought protection and had warned of the danger to her life, while institutions had been forced to act in time to ensure her security.
Arlinda had sought protection. The institutions were obliged to act, he stressed.
During the conference, the minister also indicated that, at the request of Prime Minister Albin Kurti, a special report on active high risk cases monitored by Kosovo police has been compiled.
According to Svechla, 155 high-risk active cases have been identified, for which police have reported on actions and measures taken. Also included are high – risk and low – risk cases.
Meanwhile, he announced that 70 cases currently are under electronic monitoring, as part of additional mechanisms for protecting persons at risk.
However, Svechla stressed that technological equipment and defence mechanisms cannot replace the human and professional responsibility of officials who should react in time and in accordance with the law.
He added that, in addition to the full investigation of the Arlinda case, it is necessary that the report’s findings also serve to identify and address shortcomings in institutional procedures for handling cases of domestic violence and protecting victims.
Our responsibility is to make sure that any action and inaction is investigated to the end, Svechla concluded.
Source Layer: RTKLive