Thousands of Albanians took to the streets on Tuesday to protest against a coastal tourism complex allegedly linked to Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump. The demonstration took place in front of the prime minister's office in Tirana, with protesters chanting “Cancel the project” and holding banners reading “Albania is not for sale” and “Ivanka, go home,” referring to Kushner's wife.
Project Details and Environmental Concerns
The proposed development includes the construction of hotel complexes on the uninhabited island of Sazan and in the protected coastal area of Vjosa-Narta, located in the southern community of Zvernec. Environmentalists have raised alarms about the potential damage to biodiversity in these sensitive areas.
Investigation Launched
On Tuesday, the Special Prosecutor's Office to Combat Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) announced that it had opened an investigation into the funds used for acquiring land titles and their subsequent sale to investors. The probe aims to determine whether any illegal activities occurred during the land transactions.
Previous Protests and Violence
Saturday saw an initial gathering in Zvernec, where dozens of people, including environmental activists, protested against the installation of barbed wire that blocked access to the beach. Private security guards attacked and injured several protesters, leading authorities to suspend several police officers and revoke the licenses of two private security companies.
Kushner's Development Plans
It has not been confirmed that the land surrounded by barbed wire was purchased by companies linked to Kushner. Two years ago, Kushner presented a plan for development projects in Albania, which included transforming the island of Sazan—formerly a secret communist military base—into a luxury tourist destination worth an estimated 1.4 billion euros ($1.2 billion). Luxury hotels were also planned for Zvernec.
Response from the Government
In January, around 40 environmental organizations called for the suspension of the resort plans, citing threats to biodiversity. On Tuesday, Socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama invited the protesters to choose a delegation of about 20 people to discuss possible solutions. However, the protesters rejected the proposal and announced another gathering for Wednesday.
