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 have arrested a 30-year-old male suspect identified as Elvis Shkëmbi. In response to this tragic incident, Prime Minister Edi Rama expressed his condolences to the judge's family and emphasized the need for strict legal action against such aggression. He also called for improved security measures in courts and stricter penalties for illegal weapons possession. Notably, opposition leader Sali Berisha remarked that this murder represents a deep concern for Albanian society, as it was the first killing of a judge in the line of duty in 35 years. Reports suggest the shooter acted out of despair, anticipating an unfavorable ruling in his case. Additional arrests related to the incident have also been made. Albania's general prosecutor stressed the critical need to enhance judicial security following this heartbreaking loss, which he described as a severe strike against justice. Firearm attacks in courtroom settings are rare, highlighting the severity of this incident alongside a history of similar cases in Europe. Judge Kalaja had dedicated over three decades to law and was appointed to the Court of Appeal in 2019.