Albania's special anti-corruption prosecution office has opened an investigation into changes made to the protected status of a coastal wetland where a luxury resort project linked to Jared Kushner, son-in-law of President Donald Trump, is planned to be built. SPAK, Albania's anti-corruption prosecutor, confirmed it is examining modifications to the Vjosa-Narta protected landscape in Zvërnec, according to Politico reporting.
The 10,000-room development proposed by Kushner's investment firm Affinity Partners has drawn tens of thousands of visitors and intense scrutiny over its environmental impact. The coastal wetland area is home to flamingos, Mediterranean monk seals, and sea turtle nesting sites, raising concerns from conservation groups about irreversible habitat damage.
In 2024, Kushner publicly discussed plans for luxury tourism projects in Albania through Affinity Partners. Earlier this year, he visited the proposed site with his wife Ivanka Trump. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama recently confirmed that talks were ongoing between his government and Kushner's firm regarding the deal.
Protests began in May after large barbed-wire-topped fences were erected at the proposed construction site, blocking locals and tourists from beach access. On Sunday, demonstrators gathered outside government offices demanding an end to the project and Rama's resignation.
What the Right Is Saying
Prime Minister Rama has defended the project as part of his government's broader economic development strategy for Albania. "I want to make Albania a country that is a destination to be envied in the region, and this project is part of this effort," Rama said Monday.
Project supporters argue the development would bring significant foreign investment, construction jobs, and tourism revenue to one of Europe's less developed economies. They note that Albania has sought to attract international capital to modernize its infrastructure and create employment opportunities for young Albanians.
Government officials have emphasized their commitment to following legal procedures while pursuing economic growth. The Rama administration contends that proper environmental reviews are being conducted and that the project will meet Albanian and European Union environmental standards before proceeding.
What the Left Is Saying
Environmental advocates and progressive critics say the investigation validates long-standing concerns about transparency in how the protected landscape designation was altered to accommodate commercial development. Groups including Albanian environmental nonprofits have argued that rezoning the wetland sets a dangerous precedent for circumventing conservation protections.
Protest organizers have framed the demonstrations as a fight against government corruption and foreign interests exploiting Albania's natural resources without adequate public input. Demonstrators say they were met with excessive force when attempting to remove barriers from their own coastline.
The charges filed against approximately 15 protesters have drawn criticism from rights groups who argue that peaceful demonstrators are facing disproportionate legal consequences while security personnel actions are being investigated separately. Critics also question the lack of legislative debate over changes to protected area status.
What the Numbers Show
The proposed development would include roughly 10,000 hotel rooms and villas across the Zvërnec area along Albania's coastline, representing one of the largest single foreign investment projects in the country's recent history. The Vjosa-Narta protected landscape covers approximately 17,000 acres of coastal wetland habitat.
SPAK opened its formal investigation following reports that protected status modifications were made without standard public consultation procedures, according to Politico. Two private security companies had their licenses revoked after footage emerged appearing to show guards assaulting a protester along a cliff near the site. The local police chief has been removed from his position amid the controversy.
Albania joined the European Union candidate country process in 2014 and has been working to meet accession requirements, including demonstrating capacity to enforce environmental protection standards under EU law.
The Bottom Line
The investigation by Albania's anti-corruption prosecutor adds uncertainty to a project that has become a flashpoint for both economic development debates and concerns about government accountability. SPAK's examination of how protected landscape status was changed will be closely watched by EU officials monitoring candidate countries' rule-of-law commitments.
If the investigation finds procedural irregularities in how the rezoning occurred, it could delay or derail the project entirely. The outcome may also influence how Albania balances foreign investment attraction with environmental protection obligations as it pursues EU membership.
What happens next: SPAK has not indicated a timeline for completing its investigation. Protest organizers have called for continued demonstrations until the project is abandoned and Rama steps down.