The Albanian Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office has frozen the bank accounts of a company involved in the construction of a $4 billion luxury resort associated with Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump. This action follows widespread protests, a diplomatic spat with Greece, and warnings from the European Union.
On June 2, the Special Prosecutor’s Office for the Fight Against Corruption and Organized Crime implemented a precautionary asset freeze on Albania Land Development. This measure is part of an investigation into alleged fraud related to land ownership rights. The company, owned by Qatari entrepreneurs Mutaz and Ramez Al-Hayati, recently acquired coastal land in Zvernec, where Kushner’s investment firm, Affinity Partners, plans to build the upscale resort.
The prosecutor’s intervention came after several days of protests, with thousands marching through the capital under the slogan “Albania is not for sale.” Environmental groups and local residents oppose the development on protected land in the Pisha-Poro-Narte area, which is crucial for flamingos and sea turtles.
Protests intensified following clashes between local residents and private security personnel at the construction site. Video footage captured a security guard assaulting a protester and forcibly removing him from the fenced-off beach area.
In response, the police launched an internal investigation into the regional police leadership in Vlora and arrested 32-year-old Gerald Biba, who faces charges of unlawful detention and causing minor bodily harm.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama condemned the actions of the security guards as “disgusting,” yet he defended the resort project as a pathway for the country to enter the “Champions League” of global tourism. He stated that five leading international architectural firms are revising the master plan to protect the environment.
While Rama supported the foreign investors involved in the project, he also backed the investigation into local land sellers. He emphasized that blocking the deal outright would be arbitrary, but freezing funds for the owner under suspicion is appropriate, asserting that rightful owners should receive compensation if fraud is uncovered.
The unrest has heightened tensions with Athens. The Greek Foreign Ministry expressed “deep concern” over the events in Zvernec, confirming that a Greek citizen was among the injured and that its embassy in Tirana provided him with medical assistance while formally addressing the Albanian government.
Athens linked the situation to Albania’s aspirations for European integration, stating that respect for minority property rights and protection of ecological zones are prerequisites for progress in accession talks. Rama dismissed Athens’ intervention, insisting that historical property disputes should be resolved solely by Albanian courts.
The European Commission echoed Greece’s concerns regarding the rule of law and environmental issues. A spokesperson warned that Brussels is closely monitoring the protected landscape and that repeated extensions of the strategic investment law raise concerns about potential environmental impacts in protected areas. They stated that Albania must fully comply with European environmental standards to advance its membership application.
Details about Kushner’s project in Albania indicate that the development along the Adriatic consists of two parts: a complex in the Narta lagoon area (a nature reserve) and a smaller resort on the uninhabited island of Sazan, a former communist military base. Plans include hotels, apartments, villas, and a marina.
The project is linked to Kushner and Trump’s daughter Ivanka, who mentioned that they discovered the location by chance during a seaside vacation. The government hopes the resort will help Albania tap into the premium tourism market, with Rama asserting that investments will continue as long as he remains in power.
Kushner had previously pursued a similar project in Serbia, where, in 2025, the parliament passed a special law for a related complex in Belgrade. However, the prosecution later charged four officials with abuse and document forgery, leading Kushner to withdraw from the investment.
Albanian authorities have frozen assets linked to a luxury resort project associated with Jared Kushner amid ongoing protests and environmental concerns. The situation has escalated tensions with Greece, prompting international scrutiny over property rights and environmental regulations.
Source: OCCRP