A shocking turn of events has deepened the already tragic case surrounding the murder of Judge Astrit Kalaja, who was killed in a courtroom in Shkodër earlier this week. The suspect, Elvis Shkambi, allegedly shot the judge during a hearing concerning a long-standing property dispute. However, new controversy erupted after Gjovalin Shkambi, the uncle of the accused killer, publicly threatened other judges, vowing that any magistrate who sentences his nephew would “face the same fate.”
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| Gjovalin Shkambi while speaking to local media and threatening judges who would dare to condemn his nephew |
“The Next Judge Will Face Bullets Too”
Speaking defiantly in front of cameras, Gjovalin Shkambi issued a chilling warning:
“Even the judge who will sentence him will face bullets. We have been writing to the Prime Minister and the government for 13 years: give us back our property, because we bought it from the state. That judge who sentences him will have the same reward. We provided the evidence. No one will oppress us.”
His statement, broadcast publicly, immediately sparked outrage across Albania. The comments came as the nation was still reeling from the unprecedented killing of a sitting judge inside a courtroom — an act that shook confidence in the country’s justice system and raised questions about security and judicial independence.
The Property Dispute at the Center of the Conflict
According to Gjovalin Shkambi, the family’s dispute with the state revolves around land they claim to have legally purchased during privatization.
“Either put us in jail, because we privatized the land incorrectly,” he declared. “We bought it from the state.”
For over a decade, the Shkambi family has reportedly pursued legal action to reclaim or defend ownership of this property. Gjovalin claims that despite numerous appeals and letters to the Albanian government — including Prime Minister Edi Rama — their case has been ignored or mishandled, leading to deep resentment and frustration.
“We Kneel Before the Judge’s Family, But We Won’t Stop Fighting”
In a contradictory statement, Gjovalin expressed regret for the loss of Judge Kalaja but simultaneously continued his threats toward the judiciary.
“To the family of the late judge, I kneel and ask for forgiveness in church and mosque. But whoever sentences that boy will face the same judgment as Astrit. We bought our property legally and properly. Whether it’s Donald Trump or the Pope, no one will play with us anymore.”
The remarks further inflamed tensions, portraying a mix of remorse and defiance that many Albanians interpreted as a dangerous justification of violence against state institutions.
Arrest and Legal Consequences
Shortly after the televised statement, Shkodër police arrested Gjovalin Shkambi. His public threats are considered a criminal offense under the Albanian Penal Code, particularly since they were directed at judges — public officials performing state duties.
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| Shkodra Police Officers while arresting Gjovalin Shkambi |
Legal experts have pointed out that, given the national attention and the sensitivity of the case, prosecutors may request stricter measures, especially since the threats were made on camera and broadcast nationwide.
Public Reaction and Political Implications
The statements of Gjovalin Shkambi have ignited fierce debate in Albania. Many citizens have expressed outrage over the open threats, demanding stronger protection for judges and harsher penalties for intimidation against the justice system. Others have pointed to systemic failures that allowed such disputes to escalate into violence in the first place.
Opposition figures have accused the government of failing to address property restitution disputes, which have long been a source of corruption, frustration, and violence in post-communist Albania. On the other hand, government representatives emphasized that no grievance justifies violence or threats against state institutions.
A Tragic Symbol of Deep-Rooted Problems
The murder of Judge Astrit Kalaja and the subsequent threats by Gjovalin Shkambi have exposed the fragile state of Albania’s rule of law. Property conflicts, corruption, and slow judicial reforms continue to undermine trust in state institutions. Analysts say that unless the government tackles these issues transparently and firmly, public confidence will remain dangerously low.
For now, both Elvis Shkambi and Gjovalin Shkambi remain under criminal investigation — one for the murder of a judge, the other for publicly threatening justice itself. The events in Shkodër stand as a grim reminder that unresolved grievances, when combined with weak institutions, can lead to tragedy and chaos.