News|Gun ViolenceMan on trial in Albania kills judge, injures two others in shootingAstrit Kalaja, an appeals court judge, died on his way to hospital after the courtroom attack on Monday.
A judge in the Albanian capital, Tirana, was fatally shot during a trial. Appeals court judge Astrit Kalaja succumbed to his injuries on Monday, as confirmed by Albanian police.
A judge in the Albanian capital, Tirana, was fatally shot during a trial. Appeals court judge Astrit Kalaja succumbed to his injuries on Monday, as confirmed by Albanian police.
The 30-year-old suspect fled the scene but was subsequently apprehended. The firearm believed to have been used in the incident was recovered by authorities.
Additionally, two other individuals involved in the trial, a father and son, were injured in the shooting. They were hospitalized, with their injuries assessed as non-life-threatening.
A judge in the Albanian capital, Tirana, was fatally shot during a trial.
The case being heard at the time of the incident reportedly involved a property dispute. Albania’s Prime Minister, Edi Rama, referred to the incident as a "tragic event" and called for a review of court security measures. Rama also advocated for stricter penalties for firearm-related offenses, emphasizing the need for a severe legal response for the perpetrator.
President Bajram Begaj condemned the act as an attack on the justice system. Data from the South Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons recorded 213 gun-related incidents in Albania from January to June of this year. Under Albanian law, illegal firearm possession can result in up to three years of imprisonment.
Since judicial reforms supported by the European Union and the United States were initiated in 2016, Albania has experienced significant delays in the court system, with numerous cases pending resolution.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.