In brief
Judge Astrit Kalaja was shot dead by a defendant during a property dispute trial at Tirana's Court of Appeal. The assailant, identified as Elvis Shkëmbi, was arrested along with an accomplice. Prime Minister Edi Rama condemned the act, demanding severe legal repercussions and improved security measures in courts. The incident marks the first killing of a judge in Albania in 35 years.
A judge in Albania has been shot dead after a man opened fire during a trial at the Court of Appeal in the capital Tirana.
Judge Astrit Kalaja died en route to hospital, officials said, while two others involved in the hearing over a property dispute - a father and son - were shot but sustained injuries that were not life-threatening.
Police said they had arrested a 30-year-old male suspect who they identified by the initials E Sh, but Albanian media have named him as Elvis Shkëmbi.
Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama offered his condolences to Judge Kalaja's family, adding: The criminal aggression against the judge undoubtedly requires the most extreme legal response toward the aggressor. He also called for stricter security within the country's courts and harsher punishments for the illegal possession of weapons.
Sali Berisha, leader of the opposition Democratic Party, stated that Judge Kalaja's murder marks the first time in 35 years a judge has been killed while performing his duty, urging deep reflection within Albanian society.
Local media reports indicated that the suspect initiated the shooting because he anticipated losing the case. Additionally, an uncle of Mr. Shkëmbi and the court's security guard have also reportedly been arrested in connection with the incident.
While firearm attacks on judges in the courtroom are infrequent, they have been recorded in the past. A decade ago, a judge in Milan was killed by a defendant in a bankruptcy case.
Judge Kalaja had over 30 years of experience in law, initially serving in a district court before being appointed to Tirana's Court of Appeal in 2019.
