A shocking act of violence unfolded inside a major Turkish courtroom today, January 13, 2026, when a prosecutor opened fire on his ex-wife, who was presiding over a case as a judge.
Attack in a Busy Courthouse
The incident occurred at the Istanbul Regional Court of Appeals during a midday hearing. The assailant, identified as a prosecutor, shot the judge, his former spouse, in the leg. The busy courthouse was immediately thrown into chaos following the gunshots.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, and the wounded judge was promptly taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Initial medical reports indicate she is in good condition following the attack.
Police Launch Investigation
Local law enforcement agencies have launched a full-scale investigation into the court shooting. Photos from the scene show a heavy police presence, with authorities swarming the courthouse building just after noon, local time.
The motive behind the attack is currently under scrutiny, with the personal history between the prosecutor and the judge being a central focus of the probe. This breach of security within a hallowed judicial institution has raised serious concerns.
A Grim Echo from Albania
This courtroom violence in Turkey bears a tragic resemblance to an incident that occurred just months ago in Albania. In that case, Judge Astrit Kalaja was shot and killed while presiding over a property dispute.
The Albanian judge succumbed to his injuries while being rushed to a hospital in Tirana. A father and son, who were part of one of the parties in court, were also shot and hospitalized during that attack.
The events in both Istanbul and Tirana highlight a disturbing trend of violence targeting judicial officials in the line of duty, sparking urgent conversations about judicial security worldwide.
