The second femicide of the year has been reported in Albania, following the murder of 64-year-old Fatmime Sula by her neighbour.
It is reported that the neighbour, a man, hanged her because he owed her money. The victim’s family have called for maximum punishment.
“He and many other monsters circulate among us. Thanks to the State Police for investigating the event in record time. He should receive the maximum punishment, he is a monster,” a member of her family said.
The first femicide of 2022 took place in Vau e Dejes in the north of the country two weeks ago. Gjyle Topalli was shot with a Kalashnikov in the presence of her father and young daughter. Her ex-husband was arrested for committing the crime.
Since the start of 2021, 21 women have been murdered in Albania, by family members, partners, or ex-partners.
- Lumturi Bici, 50 years old, killed by her husband, Librazhd, 2021
- Clarita Ismalaja, 45 years old, killed by her husband, Kruja, 2021
- Diana Vuka, 59, killed by her brother, Shkodra, 2021
- Zhaneta Metani, raped, used for prostitution and killed by Pëparim Tela, Tirana, 2021
- Kristina Bardhi, used for prostitution and killed by Pëparim Tela, Tirana 2021
- Liljana Buzo, 54, killed by her husband, Elbasan, 2021
- Dorina Alla, 39 years old, killed by her husband, in the presence of children, Italy, 2021
- Fëllënza Shirja, 45 years old, killed by her husband, Kavaja, 2021
- Irvana Hyka, 28, was killed by her husband in the presence of children while pregnant, Fier, 2021
- Luljeta Heshta, 47 years old, killed by partner, Italy, 2021
- Sanije Bandula, 83 years old, killed by her husband, Shkodra, 2021
- Anisa Shehu, 31, killed by her husband, Greece, 2021
- Joana Peca, 27 years old, shot by her husband in the presence of children, Florida, USA, 2021
- Sabrina Bengaj, 23, murdered by ex-husband Fier, 2021
- Violeta Gurraj, 47 years old, was killed in her home by her husband, Shkodra
- Fëllënxë Rrasa, 45 years old, killed by her husband, Divjaka, 2021
- Jawsackie Jaboah, 31, killed by Albanian husband, Tirana, 2021
- Elinda Topalli, 50 years old, killed by her husband, Austria, 2021
- Elona Ibrushi, 36, killed by her husband, Greece, 2021
- Gjyle Topalli, 40 years old, killed by ex-husband, Vau i Dejë, 2022
- Fatmime Sula, 64 years old, killed by a neighbour, Kucova 2022
Last week, the Feminist Collective took to the streets of Tirana to cover road signs with the names of the women. They said in a statement that, “In a society where structural and patriarchal violence turns women into victims and men into criminals where crime is justified, and the victim is constantly blamed, a massive reaction to a radical transformation is necessary.”
Albania has one of the highest rates of domestic violence in Europe with over half of women experiencing at least one form of violence in their lives. The prosecution rate for crimes against women is concerningly low at around 13%. Convictions are even rarer.
