On Monday 6 October 2025, a tragic and unprecedented event has shaken Albania’s judiciary.
Appeal Court Judge Astrit Kalaja was shot dead in his courtroom after delivering a verdict. The attacker was a party to the case.
Not only in the Albanian judiciary, but in many countries concerns are growing about the safety of judges. Political attacks, a lack of court security but also negative public discourse can lead to erosion of the trust in the judiciary and the risk to be attacked. The Chief Justice of Albania, Sokol Sadushi, gave a significant speech which is relevant for us all. We publish it here, as well as the Declaration of the Judges of the Albanian Republic and the letter from Judges for Judges to Mr Sadushi.
