Prime Minister, Opposition Leaders, and OSCE Condemn Attack.
A shocking act of violence has rocked Albania’s judicial system after a judge was shot inside a courtroom in the capital city, Tirana. Judge Astrit Kalaja, a member of the Tirana Court of Appeal, was shot on Monday by a gunman during a court session. He later died in hospital from his injuries.
Reports that the attack, which occurred inside the courthouse, also left two other people injured and has drawn widespread condemnation from political leaders and international organisations. Advertisements Gunman Opens Fire During Hearing According to Albanian media reports, the assailant—identified by police as E. Sh., aged 30—was a party in an ongoing court case. He allegedly drew a firearm and opened fire at the judge and others present in the courtroom.
A police statement confirmed: “As a result, citizen A. K. lost his life and citizens R. K. and E. K. were injured but are out of danger to their lives.”
Authorities said the suspect was arrested on the spot, and the firearm used in the shooting was recovered.
The ymotive for the attack remains unclear, and investigators are now trying to determine how the weapon was smuggled into the courtroom, despite security screening measures.
National Shock and Political Reactions The killing of Judge Kalaja has provoked an outpouring of grief and outrage across Albania, marking one of the first assassinations of a judge inside a courtroom in over three decades. Advertisements Prime Minister Edi Rama described the shooting as a brutal assault on justice:
“The criminal aggression against the judge undoubtedly demands the most extreme legal response against the aggressor.” Gazment Bardhi, head of the opposition Democratic Party’s parliamentary group, said the incident was a dark moment in Albania’s modern history: Advertisements “This is the first case in 35 years where a judge has been killed while doing his duty.
It requires deep reflection from Albanian society.” Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha also condemned the killing in a Facebook post, calling it “an ugly and criminal act against the judge” and evidence of “the great insecurity that exists today in the country.”
International Outrage The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) mission in Tirana expressed deep concern, describing the shooting as an attack on democracy itself.
“Attacks on judges are a direct attack on the rule of law and democratic institutions,” the OSCE said in a statement. Public Reaction The shooting has sparked widespread alarm on social media, with commentators describing it as a devastating blow to confidence in Albania’s justice system.
Activist Sidorela Vatnikaj wrote: “The murder of a judge, especially within the premises of the court, is absolutely horrific, unacceptable and a very bad day for the rule of law in Albania.”
Political analyst Gerti Shella said the event illustrates the growing risks faced by justice officials: “The shooting shows us the high uncertainty in life that people in the justice system face today.” Investigation Underway Police have opened a full investigation to uncover the motive and possible security lapses that allowed the firearm to enter the courtroom.
The Albanian Ministry of Justice has pledged to tighten security in all judicial facilities nationwide. Authorities say the suspect will face murder and attempted-murder charges, and government officials have vowed to pursue maximum penalties under Albanian law
