Rama shared a statement by a judge who claimed, “It is not a budgetary deadlock; it is politics; it is arrogance; it is a matter of spite over our victory in the Constitutional Court.”

“Unbelievable, yet true, that a judge understands the independence of the judiciary in this way and views the Albanian state budget like this… Rather than maintaining the objective, dignified language expected of the bench, the statement mirrors the aggressive rhetoric of a sports ultra-protesting a VAR ruling,” Rama wrote.

Rama described the language used as inappropriate, emphasizing that the separation of powers must be respected and that no one can replace Parliament in the exercise of its powers.

“No one can replace Parliament, nor can anyone order the legislature on when to raise its hand. Only the Constitutional Court—and no one else—has the right and duty to point out when a vote was cast incorrectly; yet even it cannot, under any circumstances, dictate to the independent legislative branch how it ought to cast its vote,” wrote Rama.

According to the prime minister, wage policy is proposed by the government, approved by the Assembly and implemented by the government, whereas the Constitutional Court intervenes only when there is a violation of a constitutional principle or norm.

“Wage policy is proposed solely by the government, approved solely by the Parliament and implemented solely by the government. The Constitutional Court intervenes only if a constitutional principle or norm is violated—something lawmakers must rectify without compromising their independence, in whatever manner they deem appropriate through their vote,” he stated.

Rama also expressed concern over the possibility that associations of prosecutors and judges might employ political and legal tactics—coordinated with prosecutors’ offices and courts—to pressure the government into raising salaries.

“If associations of judges and prosecutors orchestrate a coordinated campaign of legal actions to force the government’s hand on pay increases, we will find ourselves facing a profound and novel threat to our governance framework,” wrote Rama.

He emphasized that while this situation does not intimidate the government, it is a cause for concern, noting that the salary issue is not a matter of spite, but a challenge for Albania’s European state-building process.

In his response, the prime minister stated that the table prepared for the cancelled meeting is still available.

“It is very simple. The table prepared for the requested and cancelled meeting remains ready. September 17 marks the end of only this publicly tense episode—one that could and should have been avoided—but the need for communication between independent branches of government remains,” stated Rama.

He added that the need for communication between these branches will grow even more with every step toward Albania’s accession to the European Union.

“However, we are ready to come to the table; the rest is a matter for the judges to decide,” concluded Prime Minister Edi Rama. /p.s./

The panel of the Special Appellate College was composed of Rezarta Schuetz as presiding judge, Sokol Çomo as rapporteur, Albana Shtylla, Mimoza Tasi, Natasha Mulaj as members.

Sterkaj had appealed the decision of the Commission taken on September 4, 2024. This decision is final and has immediate effect.

Shkodra judge Tonin Sterkaj was dismissed from office after it was concluded that he does not meet the credible level of the wealth criterion and he has violated public trust in the justice system. /m.q/j.p/p.s./

The homage was paid at the hall of the Palace of Congresses at 09:00 up to 11:00 hrs and later on there was set the funeral in his hometown, in Shkodra.

The representatives of the judiciary, of the institutions, MPs, cabinet ministers, colleagues, friends and family members gave the judge their final farewell.

Head of the Supreme Court Sokol Sadushi paid tribute to Judge Astrit Kalaja, while conveying the message that, “Judges want security, so that they can deliver justice”.

Deputy Head of the Special Court of the First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime Erjon Bani, who participated in the homage, raised concerns about security in the courts.

Head of the Chamber of Advocates Maks Haxhia stated that, “The murder of a judge is the murder of the entire justice system”.

Prosecutor General Olsian Çela, head of SPAK Altin Dumani and all prosecutors of the Special Prosecution paid homage, too.

The Judge of the Court of Appeal Astrit Kalaja was shot dead in the courtroom on October 6. The killer was arrested. The police also handcuffed his uncle as an accomplice, as well as the security guard at the Court of Appeal for abuse of office. /m.q/j.p/p.s./

Police cuffed the murderer and seized his weapon.

According to the report of Tirana Local Police Directorate, the shooting occurred at around 15:40, in the venues of Tirana Court of Appeal of General Jurisdiction.

During a court session, the citizen with the initials E. Sh., 30 years old, involved in the court case, fired at Judge Astrit Kalaja and citizens R. K., 65 years old, and E. K., 45 years old, father and son, the other party involved in the court case.

As a result of the shooting, Judge Astrit Kalaja lost his life, while citizens R. K. and E. K. were wounded, but the wounds were not life-threatening.

Police arrived soon at the scene and managed to detain and escort to the premises of the Tirana Police the suspected murderer, citizen E. Sh., as well as seized the crime weapon.

There is set up an investigation group which is working to fully clarify the circumstances.

Judge Astrit Kalaja was from Shkodra. He graduated in 1993 from the Faculty of Law. With a 32-year career, Kalaja was first appointed magistrate in Shkodra, on November 24, 1993. From June 2004 until January 2023, Kalaja was a judge of the Court of Appeal in Shkodra region, until he was appointed into the Court of Appeal of Tirana.

In 2019, Kalaja was confirmed in office, passing the Vetting process. In 2022, the judge was also confirmed in office by the Special Appellate College. Kalaja was also elected a member of the Electoral College three times in a row.

/k.s/r.e/a.f/p.s./

In a press release, President Begaj emphasized that, “I am deeply shocked and I strongly condemn the intolerable act assassination while doing his duty of Judge Astrit Kalaja”.

“This horrific attack on the distinguished judge, but also on justice as such, must be faced by the entire society with the deepest contempt and disagreement, because this act is a macabre assassination on the system itself, on which coexistence and social peace are based”, said Begaj.

President Begaj stated that, “On behalf of the state, I stand with the family of the deceased and his close and distant colleagues, and I express the full solidarity of Albanians with the boundless pain for the loss”.

Judge Astrit Kalaja was shot dead today at the venues of the Court of Appeal. Two other people, parties to a court case, were also injured in the shooting. /k.s//a.f/p.s./

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to Judge Kalaja’s family and colleagues, and wish a speedy recovery to those who were wounded.

The OSCE Presence in Albania unequivocally condemns this violent act. Attacks on judges are a direct attack on the rule of law and democratic institutions.

While the full circumstances of the attack are still under investigation, we welcome the swift reaction of the law enforcement in apprehending the suspect and emphasize the importance of ensuring that justice is served through a thorough and prompt legal process.

The Presence stands in solidarity with Albania’s judicial community and remains committed to supporting efforts that strengthen the security and independence of the judiciary”, said the OSCE in its reaction.

In a reaction in the social media, Rama stated that Judge Ligoraq Toshi, “did not find it necessary to be in favor of the community trapped by this unauthorized construction”.

The prime minister emphasized that the name of this judge will also be added to the file that the Ministry of Justice will forward to the bodies of control and self-government of the judiciary, while he requested that the affected citizens should also join their complaints to these bodies.

Rama took the opportunity also to respond to those who consider his reactions as “pressure on the judiciary”, while assuring that “we will no longer remain silent, nor will we stop addressing cases of abuse to the relevant bodies which the Constitution and the law also charge with protecting the interests of the people and the state”.

Rama confirmed his unwavering stance in support of justice and its institutions, in the fight against corruption, organized crime, and human rights and freedoms. /p.s./

“What must Judge Klarent Demiri have been eating when he made the decision to prevent execution of the decision to clear up this occupied public land? And he has taken not one, but two such decisions, standing out as the only judge so far who has openly contradicted the public interest, the vested interest of communities in liberating their public spaces and implementation of the government program for the benefit of cities and in function of Albania 2030 in the EU”, Rama wrote in a post in the social media.

The head of government stressed that the government will not tolerate representatives of the independent judicial power who will misuse their independence to violate the independence of the executive power.

“One thing is certain: We will no longer tolerate, either silently or with our hands tied, any representative of the independent judiciary who misuses his independence to violate the independence of the executive pillar, obstructing through arbitrary abuse of his office the implementation of programs, projects or decisions in the public interest”, Rama underlined.

The prime minister stated that the government will address for this judge the independent bodies of governance and control of the judiciary.

“For Judge Demiri, we will turn to the independent bodies of governance and control of the judiciary, just like for Prosecutor Gjeli and Judge Balliu, hoping that these vital bodies for the good governance of the judiciary will come out of the comfort zone where they feel comfortable, while the Justice Reform primarily requires their dedication, professionalism and courage”, Rama emphasized.

/gj.m//a.f/p.s./

In a reaction in the social media, Rama stated that, “The people who vote for us are looking for accountability from us for the anti-law and anti-state approaches of the justice system, which as a matter of fact is totally independent of the government.”

“The question that arises in this case, instead of the outcry of revolt, is, where are the independent institutions that administer justice and control these abusers of the justice independence, which have long been proving their non-existence in relation to the blatant abuses of prosecutors and judges of all levels?!” Rama stated in a reaction in the social media.

But, the prime minister emphasized that, “The popular governance mandate to make Albania a state of the rule of law by 2030, a member of the European Union, was not given to us by Albanians to raise our hands and surrender in front of prosecutors and judges even when they deal blows to people who deserve justice, only justice and nothing more or less than justice.”

/m.m//r.e//a.f/p.s./

In a press statement after reporting at SPAK, the main opposition party leader Berisha launched a harsh personal attack on Special Court judge Irena Gjoka, calling her a “typical impostor.”

He told reporters he was unaware of the case’s specifics but repeated his claims, describing the judge as “a convicted criminal.”

Berisha has demanded Irena Gjoka’s removal from the ongoing court case into “Partizani” sports complex privatization issue due to alleged conflict of interest, saying that in his capacity as the President of the Republic in 1996 he had signed a Justice High Council decision to dismiss Gjoka from the judiciary.

He also claimed that Gjoka has been expelled from Greece with a criminal sentence, allegations he says were concealed during her vetting.

Berisha was summoned as a person with knowledge of the case. Berisha’s defense lawyer Genc Gjokutaj said the case concerns a complaint filed by Gjoka after Berisha accused her publicly of corruption, bias, and holding a criminal record she allegedly failed to declare.

/k.s/a.f/u.sh/