Murder of judge/Bar Association: Direct attack on the constitutional order itself

2025-10-06 21:01:00, Aktualitet CNA

Murder of judge/Bar Association: Direct attack on the constitutional order

The Albanian Criminal Lawyers Association, through its president Joana Qeleshi, has reacted to the murder of judge Astrit Kalaja.

Through a post on social media, Qeleshi states that the event is unacceptable and represents a direct attack on the constitutional order itself.

Full post by Joana Qeleshi:

My deepest condolences to family, friends and colleagues!

This event, unprecedented in Albanian history and unacceptable in a democratic country, raises the alarm over the lack of security in judicial institutions and justice actors such as judges, prosecutors and lawyers.

Violence against justice system actors, whether physical or verbal, represents a direct attack on the constitutional order itself and the principles upon which the rule of law can only be built.

Aggressive language towards judges, prosecutors, and lawyers in public life can no longer find space in the culture of a civilized country, fueling manifestations of violence that call into question the development and respect for every human value.

The taking of a judge's life, within the walls of the court, the place that is presumed to offer the indisputable legal and human security of preserving and consolidating the rights and freedoms of every individual and person, severely affects society and the state as a whole.

Today, violence not only took the life of a man and an honored justice professional, but struck a symbol of the societal development of a country that has worked and is working for decades to convincingly distance itself from it.

The Criminal Lawyers Association calls on the responsible institutions to immediately take effective measures to handle the case, guarantee the safety of all justice actors, and to carry out all necessary actions to promote a culture of respect for their figure.

Justice can only exist in an environment that is safe, respectful and free from fear!

Rest in peace, Judge Astriti! /CNA