Albanian courts have ruled to keep accused murderer Elton Metaj in prison prior to his trial.
The man is accused and has admitted to shooting and killing his ex-wife last week. This was the 13th femicide of 2021. The murder took place as the woman was eating dinner at her parents’ house.
The man, from the village of Zhupan in Fier, had just been released from prison. He had been convicted of domestic violence and for holding his ex-wife and her family hostage for several hours. It took RENEA, the Albanian special forces, several hours to negotiate their release.
It’s not clear why he served only one year for opposing a police officer, possession of an illegal weapon, and domestic violence. The victim had already filed for a restraining order against him.
Opposition MP Albana Vokshi has called for increased efforts to ensure the safety of women throughout the country. She said the state and the court are responsible for the incident.
“A young mother was violently killed in her home because the government and justice are not doing their jobs. Considering how many women there are in government and parliament, Edi Rama is using it to hide the trust of the deteriorating security for women’s life and dignity.”
The Court of Fier imposed the measure of arrest and imprisonment for the accused. He has been charged with murder due to family relations.
Today, a protest will be held by civil society at the Ministry of Justice in Tirana at 6 p.m. Protestors claim the state and the courts are to blame for femicide, and they need to do more to protect women.
