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Albanian Protests Enter Fourth Week Over Kushner-Linked Resort Development

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Protests in Albania Over Luxury Resort Development Intensify

Thousands have taken to the streets in Tirana and Vlora for over three weeks, opposing a luxury resort development on Sazan Island and the Vjosa-Narta Lagoon—projects linked to Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump.

Environmental concerns, lack of transparency, and government backing have fueled the prolonged demonstrations.

Project Details

Location

  • Sazan Island: An uninhabited Adriatic island, formerly a secret communist military base and later used by the Soviet Union as a submarine base and testing ground for biological and chemical weapons.
  • Vjosa-Narta Lagoon and Zvërnec Peninsula: Adjacent coastal areas designated as a nature reserve and part of a marine national park.

Development Plans

  • Construction of a luxury resort with up to 10,000 rooms across five miles of beachfront.
  • Hotels, apartments, villas, and a marina.
  • The project is being developed by Sazan Real Estate Development LLC, with financing linked to Qatari brothers Moutaz and Ramez Al-Khayyat through their company Albania Land Development.
  • Preliminary approval was granted by the Albanian government in 2024.

Investor Involvement

  • Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump discovered the area while on a boat trip. Ivanka Trump described the visit as inspiring a development idea.
  • An investment firm linked to Kushner has been granted special investor status by Albanian authorities.
  • Kushner's firm, Affinity Partners, stated it has no role in the project and that partners are involved in their personal capacity.
  • Asher Abehsera, CEO of Sazan Real Estate Development LLC, said the company focuses on "responsible stewardship, environmental enhancement, job creation, and creating long-term value for local communities."

Timeline of Events

  • 2021: Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump visit Sazan Island.
  • 2024: The Albanian government grants preliminary approval. Prime Minister Edi Rama enacts a law removing certain environmental protections from the development area.
  • Late May 2025: Heavy machinery begins clearing land and installing fencing. Activists report ecological damage, including destruction of dunes, trees, and a sea turtle nest.
  • Early June 2025: Protests begin in Tirana and Vlora. Video footage shows a private security guard dragging a protester, intensifying public opposition.
  • June 2, 2025: Albanian prosecutors freeze bank accounts of Albania Land Development as part of an investigation into fraudulent property titles.
  • June 20-21, 2026: Protests continue for a 22nd consecutive day, with demonstrations in both Tirana and Vlora. Protesters call for Prime Minister Rama's resignation.

Government Position

Prime Minister Edi Rama: "There is absolutely no chance that the investment will stop as long as I am here."

  • Rama has described the project as a €4 billion ($4.6 billion) investment that aligns with Albania's tourism ambitions.
  • He has claimed that protesters have been misled and that the project does not involve protected areas or flamingos.
  • Rama suggested that criticism is amplified because of Jared Kushner's connection, stating to Politico that "Trump haters" amplified the protests.

Government Response: The Prime Minister's office stated, "The government understands that major investments can generate public debate and differing opinions. The ambition is to create a new benchmark for sustainable Mediterranean development."

Opposition and Protests

Environmental Concerns

  • The Vjosa-Narta wetlands are home to over 200 migratory bird species, rare Mediterranean monk seals, and nesting sea turtles.
  • More than 1% of the global flamingo population resides in Albania.
  • Construction during breeding season is reported to be harming birds, amphibians, and reptiles.
  • Environmental group PPNEA alleges that workers operated without permits and caused ecological damage, including dumping gravel on ancient sand dunes designated as Natural Monuments.

Transparency Issues

  • Activists cite a lack of public consultation and documentation regarding permits.
  • A development permit has not been made public.
  • Investigative journalist Lindita Cela traced ownership through shell companies from Albania to the Netherlands, revealing Russian and Bulgarian citizens as nominal owners of hundreds of millions of dollars in Albanian property.

Protester Statements

  • Protesters have carried Albanian flags and banners reading "Albania is not for sale."
  • Some protesters support tourism growth but oppose the location due to its ecological importance. One protester stated: "It's not the best place because that place is part of UNESCO and I don't want the flamingos and any kind of animals to be destroyed from their homes."
  • A protester noted that the beach has been a public space for all Albanians and that building a resort would close off part of the coastline.

Legal Status

  • Albania's state anti-corruption prosecution office (SPAK) has opened an investigation related to the project. Specific details have not been made public.
  • An inquiry has been launched into legislative changes on protected areas adopted in 2024.
  • Several environmental organizations have filed lawsuits, arguing the land is protected under international treaties, including the EU's Natura 2000 network. Lawyer Dorian Matlija stated the new law violates both Albanian and EU laws.
  • Land ownership is disputed. The government states the land is privately owned.
  • On June 2, 2025, prosecutors froze bank accounts of a firm that purchased land in the protected area as part of an investigation into fraudulent property titles.

Related Developments

A similar project in Serbia, also linked to Kushner, faced legal challenges after Serbia's prosecutor charged four people with abuse of office and falsifying documents. Kushner later withdrew from that investment.