Overview

• Appeals court judge Astrit Kalaja died en route to hospital after being shot during a hearing in Tirana.
• A father and son who were parties to the case were wounded and remain in stable condition, authorities said.
• Police detained a 30-year-old suspect and recovered the revolver believed to have been used in the attack.
• Local media reported the case involved a property dispute and suggested the shooter expected to lose the ruling.
• Prime Minister Edi Rama and President Bajram Begaj condemned the attack as officials weigh court security and tougher gun-crime sentences, with SEESAC noting 213 firearm incidents in Albania in the first half of 2025 and illegal gun possession carrying up to three years in prison.