Police clash with protesters over Trump-linked Albania hotel project
Demonstrators opposing a proposed luxury hotel in a coastal nature reserve were detained after clashes with police in Tirana.
Police in Tirana clashed with protesters and blocked them from reaching parliament as demonstrations against a planned luxury hotel linked to Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner entered their second 100 days.
The latest rally took place as Albania’s parliament resumed after its summer recess. Protesters challenged a police cordon, reportedly throwing eggs and tomatoes at riot police, while vehicles carrying lawmakers were struck with plastic water bottles.
The development is planned for a coastal nature reserve. Scientists and activists told Al Jazeera that preliminary work had damaged habitats and nesting sites for birds and loggerhead turtles. Critics also say the project could restrict public access to the coast.
Known as the “flamingo revolution” because of signs featuring the bird, the protests have increasingly focused on Prime Minister Edi Rama and his governing Socialist Party. Demonstrators chanted for Rama’s arrest during the clashes.
Rama supports the investment, arguing that it would help modernise Albania. Albanian officials have not detailed Kushner’s role in the project, while several protesters were detained. It was not immediately clear whether formal arrests had been made.
