Overview

• Judge Astrit Kalaja died while being taken to a hospital after he was shot inside the Tirana Appeals Court.
• Police identified the suspect as a 30-year-old with the initials E. Sh., who fled the courtroom before being arrested and whose alleged revolver was recovered.
• Two other people present for the hearing were shot and hospitalized with injuries that police described as not life-threatening.
• Investigators have not disclosed a motive, and a listing on the court’s website shows the hearing related to a property dispute.
• Prime Minister Edi Rama and President Bajram Begaj condemned the attack, which comes as the justice system struggles with delays stemming from reforms launched in 2016.