One year after Judge Astrit Kalaja was killed in a courtroom, the Union of Judges, the National Association of Judges and the Association of Prosecutors of the Republic of Albania are calling for the establishment of a dedicated police unit to ensure security at courts and prosecutors’ offices, as well as the creation of a mechanism to assess threats against magistrates.
In a joint statement issued on the anniversary of Judge Kalaja’s killing, the organisations said that, one year after the incident, courts and prosecutors’ offices still do not have a dedicated police unit responsible for their security.
According to the statement, there is also no mechanism for assessing threats and protecting magistrates who are under threat, while the organisations are also calling for the adoption of a new legal framework governing the security of justice institutions.
“Security, too, has remained at a standstill. One year after a judge was killed in a courtroom, courts and prosecutors’ offices still do not have a dedicated police unit. There is no mechanism for assessing threats and protecting magistrates who are under threat. There is no new legal framework for the security of justice institutions,” the statement said.
The magistrates’ organisations are calling on state institutions to establish a dedicated police unit to ensure security at courts and prosecutors’ offices, create an effective mechanism for assessing threats and protecting magistrates under threat and their families, and adopt a comprehensive legal framework for the security of justice institutions.
The demands were included in a joint statement issued one day after the anniversary of the killing of Judge Astrit Kalaja. On 6 October 2025, Kalaja was shot dead in a courtroom while carrying out his duties.
In the statement, the Union of Judges, the National Association of Judges and the Association of Prosecutors also call for Judge Kalaja to be granted the status of “Martyr of the Nation” and for institutional support to be provided to his family and children.
According to the organisations, requests by magistrates for measures that would ease the situation faced by the slain judge’s family have gone unanswered.
“The security of a magistrate is not a privilege. It is a guarantee for every citizen seeking justice free from fear and pressure,” the statement said.
In conclusion, the organisations said that “the state must not wait for another life to be lost before taking action,” reiterating their calls for stronger security for judges, prosecutors and justice institutions.
The post Judges and prosecutors call for special security and threat assessment unit appeared first on Euronews Albania.
