Murder of Astri Kalasa/ Supreme Court: The safety of judges is the responsibility of the state, immediate action is needed

2025-10-06 18:19:00, Aktualitet CNA

Murder of Astri Kalasa/ Supreme Court: The safety of judges is the

The Supreme Court has issued a reaction to the murder that occurred in one of the courtrooms at the Court of Appeals, where Judge Astrit Kalaja lost his life.

The Supreme Court's response states that this event is an alarm signal for the security situation in which judges exercise their duties in our country and for the worrying state of the infrastructure in which many of the Albanian courts operate.

The following statement also emphasizes that guaranteeing the physical and institutional security of judges is a direct responsibility of the state, which requires immediate and sustained action.

DECLARATION OF THE JUDICIAL BODY OF THE SUPREME COURT:

The judicial body of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Albania expresses its shock and deep sorrow for the tragic event that brought about the loss of life of the judge of the Court of Appeal of General Jurisdiction Astrit Kalaja, and conveys its most sincere condolences to his family, relatives and colleagues.

This serious event is an alarm signal for the security situation in which the judges of the Republic exercise their functions and for the worrying state of the infrastructure in which many of the Albanian courts operate.

In a state governed by the rule of law, a judge must feel protected and respected in the exercise of his or her duties, not only from a physical and infrastructural point of view, but also through a public climate of respect and restraint in the language used towards his or her figure. Any form of denigration or contempt towards a judge undermines the authority of justice and the citizens' trust in the rule of law.

The Supreme Court considers that guaranteeing the physical and institutional security of judges is a direct state responsibility, which requires immediate and sustained action.

Protecting judges is protecting justice itself and public trust in the rule of law.