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 marked the first time in 35 years a judge had been killed 'while doing his duty', prompting a call for deep reflection by all Albanian society.
The suspect reportedly opened fire because he expected to lose the case. Elvis Shkëmbi's uncle and the court's security guard have also reportedly been arrested over the shooting. Though rare, firearm attacks on judges do occur; similar incidents have been reported in the past, including one in Milan's Palace of Justice a decade ago where a judge, alongside a lawyer, was killed.
Judge Kalaja had a distinguished career as a lawyer for over 30 years before being appointed to Tirana's Court of Appeal in 2019.
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 marked the first time in 35 years a judge had been killed 'while doing his duty', prompting a call for deep reflection by all Albanian society.
The suspect reportedly opened fire because he expected to lose the case. Elvis Shkëmbi's uncle and the court's security guard have also reportedly been arrested over the shooting. Though rare, firearm attacks on judges do occur; similar incidents have been reported in the past, including one in Milan's Palace of Justice a decade ago where a judge, alongside a lawyer, was killed.
Judge Kalaja had a distinguished career as a lawyer for over 30 years before being appointed to Tirana's Court of Appeal in 2019.
