A tragic incident unfolded in Tirana, Albania, where a judge was fatally shot during a trial at the Court of Appeal. Judge Astrit Kalaja succumbed to his injuries while being transported to the hospital, as confirmed by local officials. Two other individuals, involved in the same trial concerning a property dispute, were injured but thankfully their conditions were not life-threatening.
Suspect arrested and calls for justice
Authorities quickly apprehended a 30-year-old male suspect identified by the initials “E Sh”, who has been named by local media as Elvis Shkëmbi. In the aftermath of this shocking event, Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama expressed his condolences to Judge Kalaja’s family and stated,
“The criminal aggression against the judge undoubtedly requires the most extreme legal response toward the aggressor.”
He emphasized the need for enhanced security measures within the nation’s courts and advocated for stricter penalties regarding illegal firearm possession.
Reflections on judicial safety
The leader of the opposition Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, remarked on the gravity of the situation, highlighting that this was the first instance in 35 years where a judge was killed while performing official duties. He urged Albanian society to reflect deeply on the implications of this violence, stating,
“Today is the day for a deep reflection by all Albanian society.”
Reports suggest that the suspect fired his weapon anticipating a loss in the case he was involved in.
Additionally, it has emerged that the uncle of Mr. Shkëmbi and the security guard at the court have also been arrested in connection to the shooting.
While firearm attacks in courtrooms are relatively rare, similar incidents have occurred in the past. For instance, a decade ago, a judge was shot in Milan’s Palace of Justice during a bankruptcy trial, leading to several fatalities before the assailant was apprehended. Judge Kalaja had a distinguished legal career spanning over three decades, beginning his journey in a district court before his appointment to the Court of Appeal in Tirana in 2019.
According to a recent report from a UN-backed regional monitor, Albania recorded the highest number of firearm-related incidents associated with public disputes among Balkan nations in the first half of this year, totaling 43 cases from January to June. This figure, although concerning, represents a decrease compared to the same timeframe last year and is lower than similar incidents reported in Kosovo, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the first half of 2025.