Following the statement by the Minister of Interior, Albna Koçiu, that the police are not responsible for security within the courts, the High Judicial Council reacted by publicly denying it.
Yesterday, the Minister of Interior declared that "State Police Forces - which must be clarified to the public that, according to the law, they have no responsibility for controlling entry and exit and security within court buildings - immediately intervened at the scene."
The High Judicial Council informs that, in all courts of the Republic of Albania, the State Police currently provides its service with only one employee at the main entrance where the parties and the public move. The High Judicial Council also notes that it has repeatedly requested an increase in police forces in the courtrooms, but the request has been rejected due to a lack of personnel.
For transparency, the Supreme Court of Justice published official documents showing communication with the State Police and the Ministry of Interior. According to the Supreme Court of Justice, currently only one police officer is present at the entrance to the courts, while security inside the courtrooms is lacking.
Finally, the Supreme Court of Justice urges the government to take urgent measures to guarantee physical security in court premises.
COURT'S REACTION
The High Judicial Council once again expresses its deepest pain and greatest indignation for the tragic event that occurred, where in the exercise of his duty, Judge Astrit Kalaja lost his life inside the courtroom.
This serious act constitutes an attack on the very foundations of justice, on the authority of the court and on the constitutional order of the Republic of Albania.
The High Judicial Council, on behalf of the entire judicial body of the country, expresses its deepest condolences to the family, colleagues and community of judges, emphasizing that justice cannot be brought to its knees by violence.
In this serious situation, the High Judicial Council convened today in an Extraordinary Meeting to review the circumstances of the event and analyze the current security measures in the courts.
At the end of the meeting, the Council decided to make public all official documents and correspondence it has developed with the institutions responsible for guaranteeing security in judicial premises, with the aim of transparency and informing the public.
The High Judicial Council informs that, in all courts of the Republic of Albania, the State Police currently provides its service with only one employee at the main entrance where the parties and the public move.
Pursuant to point 2 of the Council of Ministers' Decision No. 333, dated 28.04.2010, "On the protection and security of state facilities", courts must be guarded by State Police officers, in order to guarantee order and peace during court sessions. Outside official hours, guarding is carried out by the "Illyrian Guard", which is a state-owned company under the Ministry of Interior.
Recognizing that courts are objects of particular importance, the Council has repeatedly warned that the lack of an effective police presence in courtrooms creates a serious risk to the safety of judges, staff and the public.
With letter no. 5489/1 Prot., dated 02.11.2023, addressed to the State Police and for the information of the Ministry of Interior, the Council has requested the increase of State Police employees in the internal premises of courts and courtrooms during the conduct of hearings.
In response, with letter no. 9683/3 Prot., dated 11.12.2023, the State Police announced that "we are currently unable to increase and plan the number of police officers to secure the internal premises of the courts and during court hearings, due to the limited number of police personnel."
Following this response, the High Judicial Council, with letter no. 5489/3 Prot., dated 15.12.2023, officially addressed the Ministry of Interior, requesting urgent intervention:
"Taking into account the recent incidents of threats against judges, as a result of the exercise of their duties, we request that measures be taken to increase the number and planning of State Police employees to secure the internal premises of the courts and their presence during public court hearings."
At this difficult moment for the justice system, the High Judicial Council appeals for immediate institutional responsibility from law enforcement and executive bodies to guarantee the physical safety of judges and all participants in judicial processes.
Such events cannot be treated as isolated cases, they require a strong, systematic and coordinated response, so that a loss of life in the courtroom, the place where justice should be upheld, not overthrown, is never repeated.
FULL POST BY MINISTER ALBANA KOÇIU
Reaction of the Minister of Internal Affairs, Albana Koçiu:
Deeply shocked by the serious news of the murder of the judge of the Court of Appeal in Tirana, Astrit Kalaja, and the injury of two citizens, inside the courtroom.
I strongly condemn this barbaric act of violence and express my most sincere condolences to the victim's family and his colleagues, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.
The State Police forces - which must be clarified to the public that, according to the law, they have no responsibility for controlling entry and exit and security within court buildings - immediately intervened at the scene.
The perpetrator was immediately detained and we have engaged the best experts to examine, in cooperation with prosecutors, the fulfillment of legal duties by the court security officers.
