Thousands of protesters in Albania rallied against a luxury coastal resort project linked to Jared Kushner, citing environmental and corruption concerns.
Thousands of people gathered in Albania’s capital Tirana to protest against a proposed luxury tourism development connected to a company linked to Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump.
The controversial project includes plans for high-end hotels and tourism facilities on the island of Sazan and within the protected Vjosa-Narta coastal region near the southern community of Zvernec.
Environmental activists and local residents say the area is ecologically sensitive and home to important wildlife species, including flamingos, sea turtles, and Mediterranean seals.
During Wednesday’s protest, demonstrators carried banners reading “Albania is not for sale” and “Cancel the project,” while demanding that the Albanian government halt the planned development.
The protests intensified after Albania’s anti-corruption and organised crime office, known as SPAK, announced it had opened an investigation into the financing and land transactions connected to the project.
Public anger has also grown following reports that private security personnel allegedly attacked environmental protesters during an earlier demonstration in Zvernec over the weekend. Authorities later suspended several police officers and revoked the licences of two private security companies involved in the incident.
Although officials have not formally confirmed that the fenced-off land belongs to Kushner’s investment company, Affinity Partners, the businessman previously unveiled plans for major tourism developments in Albania.
Under the proposal presented two years ago, Kushner aimed to transform Sazan Island — once a secret military base during Albania’s communist era — into a luxury tourist destination worth an estimated 1.4 billion euros.
Additional luxury hotels and tourism infrastructure were also planned for the nearby Zvernec coastal area.
Environmental organizations have repeatedly warned that the project could severely damage local ecosystems and biodiversity. Earlier this year, dozens of environmental groups called for the immediate suspension of the development plans.
Ecologist Joni Vorpsi from PPNEA-BirdLife Albania said the scale of the proposed construction would dramatically alter the natural region and threaten wildlife habitats.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama defended the investment project and argued that Albania should remain open to international investors. He said the country should avoid creating an image of hostility toward foreign investment and insisted the project would continue under his administration.
Rama also invited protest organizers to meet with government representatives for discussions, though demonstrators rejected the proposal.
Kushner’s Albania development plans are part of broader regional investment interests that previously included a redevelopment project in Serbia’s capital, Belgrade. That project was later abandoned following public opposition and protests.
