TIRANA: A man on trial opened fire in a courtroom in the Albanian capital Tirana on Monday, killing the judge and injuring two others.

Appeals court judge Astrit Kalaja was presiding over the man’s case when he opened fire. The shooter was promptly arrested.

“The judge was rushed to hospital, but succumbed to his injuries on the way,” a police statement said.

The other party to the trial, a father and son, were also shot and taken to hospital, but were stable.

The case was over a property dispute and the man fired at the judge because he knew he was going to lose.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said it was a “tragic event” and called for tougher sentencing for gun-related crimes.

He said such crimes demand “the most extreme legal response against the aggressor”.

Illegal possession of a firearm is punishable by up to three years in prison under Albanian law.

According to data from the South Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SEESAC), there were 213 firearm incidents in Albania between January and June of this year.

Published in Dawn, October 7th, 2025