Uncle of judge’s killer arrested after shocking threats against judiciary
Police in Shkodër have arrested Gjovalin Shkambi, uncle of Elvis Shkambi, who on Monday shot and killed appellate judge Astrit Kalaja during a court session over a property dispute.
Why is this important: Shkambi was detained after threatening on television to kill any judge who might sentence his nephew, remarks that prompted immediate police action.
Context: In his televised statement, Gjovalin Shkambi said that “the judge who convicts my nephew will face bullets — even if he’s Donald Trump or the Pope.” He also claimed his family had legally purchased the disputed property and blamed state institutions for not resolving the case for 13 years.
Following the remarks, police arrested him on charges of threatening a judge and issuing threats with terrorist intent. The arrest was carried out by the Serious Crimes Sector with support from regional anti-terror units and the “Shqiponja” special forces.
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