FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The European Association of Judges (EAJ) has reacted with deep concern to the murder of the judge of the Court of Appeal in Albania, Astrit Kalaja, who was shot dead while pronouncing a court decision.
In a resolution adopted at its meeting in Baku, the EAJ strongly condemns this shocking act and expresses its most sincere condolences to the judge's family, colleagues and friends.
The association emphasizes that the murder occurred in a worrying context for justice in Albania, where the judicial system is weakened due to the lack of judges following the vetting process, while judges have become the subject of public attacks by high-ranking political figures. These attacks include personal insults, denigration in the media and the publication of photos of judges on social networks.
1. At its meeting held in Baku on 14 October 2025, the European Association of Judges (EAJ) was informed by its member, the Albanian Union of Judges, about the recent killing of a judge at the Court of Appeal in Albania, Astrit Kalaja, who was shot dead while delivering a court decision.
The delegates present were deeply shocked by this event and expressed their sincere condolences to the judge’s family, friends and colleagues.
2. The delegates also expressed their extreme concern about the circumstances in which this tragic act took place.
In addition to the fact that the judicial system is under pressure as a result of the shortage of judges following the re-evaluation (vetting) procedures, judges have recently become the subject of insulting public attacks in the media by senior political figures.
These attacks have gone as far as singling out individual judges for personal insults and denigration, including the publication of their photographs on social media accounts.
Repeated calls by the Albanian Union of Judges and the High Judicial Council to end these public attacks on members of the judiciary have not been heeded, and as a result public trust in the judicial system continues to be undermined, while judges are forced to work in a hostile public environment.
3. The unacceptability of such conduct is self-evident.
European standards are clear:
(i) “While objective criticism of the courts and their decisions is permissible, it is not acceptable for other branches of the state to criticize the judiciary in a way that undermines its independence, judicial authority or public confidence in the judiciary, and that incites disobedience or even violence against judges.” (
ii) “The executive and legislative powers have the obligation to provide all necessary and sufficient protection when the functions of the courts are endangered by physical attacks or intimidation directed at members of the judiciary.”
4. Consequently, the European Association of Judges (EAJ) calls on the Government of Albania:
* to guarantee full respect for the independence of the judiciary;
* to stop unjustified criticism, as well as threats and attacks against judges; and
* to take effective measures to ensure the protection and safety of judges.
Lini një Përgjigje