CCISSGO-24

A tragic scene unfolded in Tirana, Albania, on October 6, 2025, when an Appeals Court judge, Astrit Kalaja, was shot and killed inside a courtroom by a man standing trial. The incident has sent shockwaves through the country’s judicial system, igniting debates on courtroom security, the state of justice, and the growing tension surrounding Albania’s ongoing legal reforms. According to local authorities, the suspect — whose identity has not yet been publicly released — was in court facing charges linked to organized crime when he suddenly pulled out a handgun and opened fire during the proceedings. The violent outburst left Judge Kalaja dead on the spot and injured two others, including a prosecutor and a court security officer. The shocking attack took place around midday, disrupting court operations and sending panic throughout the judicial complex. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as lawyers, defendants, and court staff ran for safety. Police quickly secured the area and arrested ...