Ekhbary News Agency | June 22, 2026
Thousands of Albanians have maintained a continuous protest in the capital, Tirana, for 21 consecutive days, fueled by deep concerns over a luxury tourism development project. This initiative, notably backed by Jared Kushner, former President Donald Trump's son-in-law, has ignited widespread anger. Initially focused on the historically protected Pishë Poro-Narta coastal area, the demonstrations have evolved into a broader movement targeting alleged government corruption and the country's ruling elite.
Project Details and Investor Involvement
Early planning documents, reviewed by CBS News, outline an ambitious luxury tourism complex slated for Albania's Sazan Island and its Adriatic coastline. The proposed development includes 800 guest rooms, luxury villas, a golf course, a casino, and a water park. Sazan Real Estate Development, representing the investors, confirmed the project remains in its design phase, emphasizing a commitment to environmental stewardship. For what it's worth, the sheer scale of the proposal has surprised many.
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Complex Funding Structures and Transparency Issues
Further documents reveal financial backing from the Qatar-based Assets Group, managed by brothers Moutaz and Ramez Al Khayyat, Syrian-born billionaires with ties to the Qatari royal family and Washington. Corporate filings indicate Sazan Real Estate was initially registered in Qatar and serves as the parent company for Zvërnec South Adriatic Development, which holds the crucial development permit. Intriguingly, Zvërnec South Adriatic Development is reportedly controlled by a complex web of five shell companies registered in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Albanian activists, including Aleksandr Trajce of the conservation group PPNEA, assert that a complete lack of public consultation and governmental transparency is driving the outrage. Prime Minister Edi Rama, despite mounting public pressure, insists the project will proceed as planned.
