Appeals Judge Astrit Kalaja was shot dead in the courtroom on Monday afternoon after announcing a ruling on a property dispute, in an unprecedented event that was accompanied by shock and concerns about the security of the judicial system.
According to Tirana Police, the perpetrator of the incident is suspected to be Elvis Shkëmbi, 30 years old and a party to the court proceedings. Shkëmbi also injured his opponents in the proceedings, a father and son. According to two employees of the Court of Appeal administration, the gunshots in the courtroom caused panic and chaos. Employees and citizens who were in the court premises rushed to find shelter, to protect themselves from any other possible attack.
One of the employees told BIRN that she had seen the perpetrator and a relative of his who had been the last to leave the courtroom and were walking calmly.
"One of them lit another cigarette and they both slowly walked away from the courthouse," she said.
The employees said they had learned from their colleagues that the perpetrator had told the court secretary that there was nothing wrong with him and had shot Judge Kalaja in the chest. According to them, the hall where the hearing was taking place is small and has only two rows of benches. Kalaja was taken to the hospital, but he did not survive. The two injured, a father and son, are under the care of doctors, out of danger to their lives.
The investigation into the murder of Judge Kalaja is being conducted by the Special Prosecution Office, which is verifying the reasons for the failure of security measures in the premises of the Court of Appeal of General Jurisdiction.
Sources from the Court of Appeal told BIRN that measures to control citizens are being implemented by an administrative employee and an employee of the State Police. A metal detector is also at the disposal. According to these sources, it is initially suspected that when the perpetrator passed by, the detector gave a signal, but nevertheless, he was allowed to enter the court premises.
Meanwhile, a judge told BIRN on condition of anonymity that they have repeatedly reported threats addressed to them in court premises, but the state has not taken any measures to strengthen their security measures. According to her, they are aware that the High Judicial Council, KLGJ, has held several meetings with the police regarding these concerns, but there has been no result in increasing security measures.
The murder of Judge Kalaja in the courtroom was accompanied by messages of condolence and shock from the institutions of the justice system as well as senior representatives of the government and the opposition. SPAK and the Supreme Court condemned the serious act, while making urgent calls for increased security in the courts.
Prime Minister Edi Rama also condemned the serious incident through a message on X, while warning of security measures and toughening the punishment for illegal possession of weapons. Over the past three months, Prime Minister Edi Rama has been criticized for continuous attacks on certain magistrates and their decisions.
Judge Astrit Kalaja was born in Shkodër and graduated from the Faculty of Law with the title of 'jurist'. After completing his studies, he was appointed as a judge at the Shkodër Judicial District Court and since 2004 he has served as a judge at the Shkodër Court of Appeal. In 2011, he completed a master's degree at the University of Tirana and also served as a member of the Electoral College. Kalaja successfully passed the vetting process. /BIRN/
