On October 6, a judge at the Albanian Court of Appeal, Astrit Karaca, was fatally shot in a Tirana courtroom while overseeing property dispute cases. Tragically, he succumbed to his injuries, and two others sustained injuries in the shooting.
A 30-year-old suspect has been taken into custody following the incident.
Karaca’s murder ignited widespread frustration with the Albanian judiciary across the country. Agim Nesho, a former ambassador to the United States and the United Nations, expressed that reforms advocated by the European Union and the United States nearly ten years ago aimed to “strengthen the rule of law,” but have instead devolved into tools for political maneuvering, eroding democratic institutions and consolidating power within the executive branch.
This erosion has severely shaken public trust in the justice system, leading some citizens to seek justice through their own means, which Nesho deems a troubling sign of democratic decline.
Sali Berisha, leader of the opposition Democratic Party, characterized Karaca’s murder as an “abhorrent act” and emphasized that it should serve as an urgent warning that must not be ignored.
Berisha pointed to a growing support for a GoFundMe campaign aimed at defending the legal rights of the shooter, indicating a protest against what he describes as a corrupt and dysfunctional justice system.
Moreover, he lamented that judicial reforms have resulted in a lack of a constitutional court or high court for over five years, contributing to a staggering backlog of approximately 200,000 cases. He critiqued the vetting of judicial officials as a “witch hunt” aimed particularly at judges.
He asserted that these developments have been weaponized against the opposition.
A report from 2020 regarding U.S. aid to Albania clarifies that there was a concerted effort to “restore the integrity” of the nation’s justice system. The report notes that USAID facilitated processes that tackled 72% of the high court’s backlog of 35,000 cases.
Furthermore, of those judges and prosecutors evaluated, 125 were dismissed for reasons such as unexplained wealth, links to organized crime, or incompetence, while 50 opted to resign prior to undergoing the review.
Berisha contended that the reforms have significantly delayed legal proceedings, often taking 15 to 20 years to resolve disputes, proclaiming, “Justice delayed is justice denied.”
Besnik Musi, an attorney and former prosecutor, criticized the current judicial reform, asserting the aim is to create a “trustworthy and efficient” system, yet he found Albania’s judiciary lacking in nearly every aspect. He noted a backlog of around 150,000 cases and the shuttering of five appeals courts, further limiting public access to justice with many court buildings failing to meet safety standards.
“People have lost faith in the judicial system,” Musi said.
In response to Karaca’s killing, both the Korça Bar Association and the Albanian National Bar Association decided to boycott proceedings on October 9 and 10. Nevzat Tarelli, president of the Korça Bar Association, remarked that the incident underscored the urgent need to enhance safety and trust among judiciary members. He pointed out that without timely justice, public faith in the system is severely diminished.
Angel Agassi, secretary general of Albania’s Council of Ministers, did not comment when questioned about the public’s discontent with the judiciary or the backlog of trials. Meanwhile, a spokesperson from the State Department refrained from discussing the efficacy of U.S.-backed judicial reforms in Albania or the issues raised by Karaca’s death. The spokesperson did extend condolences to the victims of the attack and condemned the violence directed at judges and prosecutors.
