Tragic Court Shooting Claims Life of Albanian Judge

Sat Oct 11 2025 08:16:18 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a shocking incident at the Court of Appeal in Tirana, Judge Astrit Kalaja was shot dead during a trial, prompting national discussions on security and gun violence.

Judge Astrit Kalaja was fatally shot during a court session in Tirana regarding a property dispute. The shooter, identified as Elvis Shkëmbi, has been arrested, leading to widespread outrage and calls for better security in Albanian courts. This incident marks a grim milestone as the first judge killed on duty in 35 years, igniting discussions on legal reforms and harsher penalties for illegal firearm possession.

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 illegal possession of weapons.

Sali Berisha, leader of the opposition Democratic Party, remarked that Judge Kalaja's murder was the first time in 35 years a judge had been killed 'while doing his duty', stating, 'Today is the day for a deep reflection by all Albanian society.'

The suspect in Judge Kalaja's killing had reportedly opened fire because he expected to lose the case, according to local media reports.

Mr Shkëmbi's uncle and the court's security guard have also reportedly been arrested over the shooting.

While firearm attacks on judges in the courtroom are rare, similar incidents have occurred in the past. A decade ago, a judge in Milan's Palace of Justice was shot and killed in a courtroom.

Judge Kalaja had a legal career spanning over 30 years, initially working in a district court before being appointed to Tirana's Court of Appeal in 2019.