Protesters Dismantle Resort Fences in Albania Land Dispute
Around 200 protesters in Rrjoll, Albania, tore down metal and razor wire fences surrounding a luxury development site on the Adriatic coast on Saturday, escalating tensions over construction in environmentally sensitive areas. The demonstration reflects growing anger against such projects.
Background of the Protests
Albanians have been protesting for weeks against a planned luxury resort near Vlora, backed by a company linked to Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former US President Donald Trump. That area is known for flamingos and a turtle nesting site. On Saturday, villagers from Rrjoll, a region of sandy beaches and pine forests in northwestern Albania, protested a separate project, claiming it was built on confiscated land.
Protest Actions and Police Response
Protesters waved Albanian flags and shouted “Revolution” as they tore down the fences. Some scuffles with police occurred, but authorities did not stop the removal of fencing. “The protests will not stop until the residents of the village of Rrjoll are compensated. We are 200 families whose land has been seized,” said Zeke Nikolle Shullani, 56, a landowner who has been protesting for months.
Investor Status and Landowner Grievances
An Albanian company is developing a five-star luxury tourist resort on the site, which was granted “special status investor” by the Albanian government. Nikolin Markpalaj, 60, another local landowner, expressed outrage: “What is happening in this country is madness. We asked the investors to come and consult with the people but they refused. They think they can take all this wealth without blood or anything else that might happen here?”
