In a devastating turn of events, Judge Astrit Kalaja of Tirana’s Court of Appeal has lost his life after being shot in his courtroom. The fatal incident took place on Monday during a hearing for a property dispute. The judge was pronounced dead on his way to the hospital. Authorities have apprehended a 30-year-old suspect, identified by the initials E. Sh., who Albanian media has named as Elvis Shkëmbi.
The suspect reportedly opened fire because he anticipated losing the case. The attack also left two other individuals, the father and son involved in the dispute, with injuries that are not considered life-threatening. The suspect’s uncle and the court’s security guard have also reportedly been taken into custody in connection with the shooting.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama expressed his deep condolences to Judge Kalaja’s family and condemned the act as a “criminal aggression,” emphasizing the need for severe legal repercussions for the perpetrator. He also highlighted the necessity of enhancing security protocols within the nation’s courts and implementing stricter penalties for illegal firearm possession.
Sali Berisha, the leader of the opposition Democratic Party, noted the unprecedented nature of a judge being killed in the line of duty in 35 years and called for societal reflection on the incident.
This tragic event is a stark reminder of the risks faced by legal professionals. A similar incident occurred in Milan a decade ago, where a judge was killed in his courtroom by a man on trial.