In a social media post, Rama emphasized that the fugitive will face the maximum possible punishment. He also expressed his deep respect for the State Police, reaffirming that they will never falter in their mission.

Prime Minister Rama wrote that, “During a courageous operation in the mountains of Korça, police captured a dangerous fugitive who had evaded the law for years. When cornered, the suspect opened fire, tragically killing one officer and injuring another. The assailant was wounded in the ensuing firefight and taken into custody”.

“Eternal honor to the fallen, heartfelt condolences to the family, and a swift recovery to the injured officer”, emphasized Rama. /k.s/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./

According to the Police report, “It is suspected that during a momentary conflict, the citizen A. M. killed by firearm citizen N. C., a police officer of the Special Forces in Fier, off duty, but wearing the Police uniform, while he was going to his place of service”.

“The Police, the National Security Force, the RENEA Special Department surrounded the area to arrest the killer”, said the police./a.f/r.e/p.s./