Albania government probes Kushner-linked resort amid mass protests

The Albanian government has initiated an anti-corruption investigation into a $4.6 billion luxury resort development linked to Jared Kushner and his Affinity Partners fund, following widespread public unrest over the project’s legal and environmental implications. The probe, led by the special anti-corruption prosecutor’s office, will examine changes to the protected status of the Vjosa-Narta delta, the bypassing of standard public tender procedures, and the origins of funds used for land acquisition on Sazan island.

Thousands of demonstrators have rallied in Tirana and along the Adriatic coast to oppose the construction, which involves transforming a former communist-era military base into a luxury destination. The protests intensified after heavy machinery, including excavators, began clearing land and installing fencing on beaches last month. Clashes erupted between demonstrators and private security guards after barbed wire was erected to block public access, prompting more than 40 environmental groups, led by the Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA), to submit a petition with nearly 60,000 signatures demanding a suspension of construction.

Prime Minister Edi Rama has staunchly defended the investment, describing it as essential for Albania’s tourism sector and its bid for European Union membership. Rama stated there is “no chance for this investment to stop” under his leadership, arguing that the project will benefit local communities through job creation and economic growth. He dismissed the scale of the protests and accused the media of exaggerating their significance, maintaining that Albania must remain welcoming to investors to avoid the stigma of hostility toward foreign capital.

The controversy has been exacerbated by statements from Ivanka Trump, who described discovering the uninhabited Sazan island during a swim and hike, a narrative that has drawn criticism from Albanians who view the land as part of their national heritage. While Asher Abehsera, chairman of Sazan Real Estate Development LLC, issued a statement claiming the development is led by his firm and that investors are acting in a “personal capacity,” critics argue the project represents a broader, pre-planned strategy involving Kushner-linked entities, including a new airport under construction in Vlora near the protected Narta-Zvernec lagoon.

European Council President Antonio Costa met with Prime Minister Rama to discuss Albania’s progress toward EU membership, praising the country’s efforts while emphasising the need to align environmental legislation with EU standards. Costa noted that the accession process requires full compliance with the European acquis on environmental protection. Meanwhile, experts and local advocates warn that the development risks destroying one of Albania’s most valuable biodiverse areas and concentrating economic benefits among wealthy investors rather than empowering local communities.