In a surprising turn of events, Tirana judge Arnisa Këlliçi finds herself at the center of a domestic violence controversy. On the night of August 28, 2024, her husband, Klejd Këlliçi, filed a complaint with the Tirana police, accusing his wife of physical abuse. The incident unfolded on “Reshit Çollaku” street, where police forces from Station No. 3 intervened to prevent an escalation of the conflict between the couple.
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| Klejd and Arnisa Këlliçi (montage) |
Klejd Këlliçi, visibly distressed, approached the police station around midnight, stating that his wife, a respected judge, had physically assaulted him. He requested an emergency protection order to ensure his safety and demanded that his wife leave him in peace. The officer on duty was taken aback by the claim, especially since it involved a high-profile figure like Judge Këlliçi, local media say.
In his formal statement, Klejd Këlliçi revealed that tensions in their 12-year marriage had worsened due to his wife's increasing alcohol consumption, leading to frequent arguments. Concerned for the well-being of their children, he had taken them to his aunt's home for safety. According to his account, his wife arrived at their home intoxicated, prompting him to file the complaint.
Despite the alleged physical abuse, Klejd stated that he had no intention of pursuing criminal charges but sought only a protection order. This was not the first time Klejd had requested such an order; a month prior, he had withdrawn a similar request, hoping to resolve their issues. However, with the situation escalating once again, he felt the need to protect himself and his children.
To gain further clarity, the police summoned Judge Arnisa Këlliçi for questioning. During her testimony, she provided a different narrative, explaining that her husband's suspicions about the paternity of their youngest child, R., had sparked the ongoing conflict. According to the judge, Klejd had accused her of having an extramarital affair with a former Tirana judge, A.M., and claimed that their youngest child was not his. This accusation had fueled tension within the household, culminating in domestic altercations.
Arnisa admitted that their relationship had been strained since January 2024, with Klejd allegedly subjecting her to psychological and physical abuse. In early February, Arnisa had even fled to the United States to escape her husband, but returned to Albania in April in hopes of mending the family dynamic. Unfortunately, the situation had deteriorated, with Klejd continuing to harass her about the alleged affair, a claim she vehemently denied.
The judge also revealed that Klejd had been influenced by a friend, Gert Brojka, living in Italy, who had convinced him to demand a DNA test for their child. This, Arnisa claimed, was the catalyst for the most recent dispute, during which Klejd allegedly threatened her, saying, "You are worthless," and "The child is mine, and I will kill you."
Despite her claims of being psychologically and physically abused, a medical examination revealed no visible injuries on Arnisa. Furthermore, it was discovered that she had staged an incident in which she claimed Klejd had attempted to kill her with a kitchen knife. Klejd refuted this accusation, insisting that Arnisa had planted the knife herself. Both parties were taken to the police station for questioning, and the knife was seized as evidence.
Documents obtained by journalist Elton Qyno from "Ora News" provide further insight into the police report, detailing how officers were alerted to the incident around 1:00 a.m. After communicating with Arnisa, the officers learned that Klejd had threatened her with a knife, but the knife was later found in a chair near the door and confiscated by the police.
Interestingly, by the morning of August 28, 2024, Judge Arnisa Këlliçi returned to the police station, claiming her husband and child were missing. She expressed concern after being unable to reach them by phone. Upon investigation, the police confirmed that the child had been staying at the aunt’s house, and Klejd had promised to return the child home. After receiving this information, Arnisa decided not to proceed with further legal action regarding her husband's alleged kidnapping of their child.
This ongoing domestic dispute has raised eyebrows not only due to the gravity of the accusations but also because of Judge Këlliçi's position in the judiciary. Compounding the situation, the judge has already been suspended by the High Judicial Council (KLGJ) pending investigation into unrelated charges of "False Reporting" and "Document Forgery," where she allegedly fabricated evidence against a Tirana prosecutor, Adriano Dyrmishisht.
As both sides present differing accounts of the events, the truth remains to be fully uncovered. For now, the case adds to the growing list of scandals involving public officials in Albania, further eroding public trust in the judiciary system. The Këlliçi household remains fractured, with both parties seeking protection orders against one another, as their personal turmoil continues to play out under public scrutiny.