Thousands of Albanians have been protesting in Tirana for 21 consecutive days, following concerns raised over plans to develop the protected coastal area of Pishë Poro–Narta.
According to CBS News, the protests in Albania over a luxury tourism project backed by Jared Kushner have evolved into a broader anti-corruption movement targeting the government and the ruling elite.
Thousands of Albanians have been protesting in Tirana for 21 consecutive days after concerns emerged over plans to develop the protected coastal area of Pishë Poro–Narta.
Initial planning documents reviewed by CBS News show that the project could include 800 guest rooms and suites, luxury villas, a golf course, a casino, a water park, as well as maisonettes and apartments on Sazan Island and along Albania’s Adriatic coastline.
CBS News sought comment from Kushner’s company, Affinity Partners, earlier this month to confirm its involvement in the project.
The company referred CBS News to Sazan Real Estate Development, whose spokesperson said it represents all investors involved in the project, “who are participating in their personal capacity.”
“This project is still in the design and development phase, with our team continuing to refine its scope, approach and vision through a careful process that prioritises environmental stewardship and showcases the country’s natural beauty. We look forward to continuing dialogue about the potential of this project and its contribution to making Albania an even greater global destination,” a Sazan Real Estate spokesperson said in a statement to CBS News on June 18.
The planning documents also revealed who else is financing the deal. Among the parties involved is the Assets Group, based in Qatar, headed by brothers Mutaz and Ramez Al Khayyat, Syrian billionaires with ties to Qatar’s royal family as well as to Washington.
They attended the inauguration of President Trump and, according to The New York Times, their brother Mohammad Al Khayyat had previously lobbied US lawmakers to lift sanctions on Syria and had proposed the development of a Trump-branded golf course in the country. A Sazan Real Estate spokesperson confirmed to CBS News on Thursday the involvement of the Al Khayyat brothers in the project.
Corporate documents reviewed by CBS News on Monday appear to show that Sazan Real Estate was initially established in Qatar. The documents list the Al Khayyat-owned Assets Group as a partner in the company.
The same documents also appear to show that Sazan Real Estate is the parent company of Zvërnec South Adriatic Development. According to local reports, Zvërnec South Adriatic Development is the company holding the development permit for construction on Sazan Island and along the Pishë Poro–Narta coastline.
Documents reviewed by CBS News also reveal that Zvërnec South Adriatic Development is controlled through a complex structure of five different companies registered in Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
Environmental activists told CBS News that the public had not been adequately informed before initial works began. Aleksandër Trajce of PPNEA said there had been “absolutely no public consultation,” adding that residents became aware of the project only when machinery entered the area.
Activists also claim that initial works caused environmental damage, including the destruction of at least one sea turtle nesting site.
Prime Minister Edi Rama has defended the development, describing it as economically beneficial, and has said it will proceed despite the protests. At the same time, CBS News notes that the Albanian government is already facing corruption allegations, including a case involving Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku. Albania’s anti-corruption body, SPAK, confirmed it has opened an investigation into the planned development, although it said the probe does not involve any company linked to Kushner.
As protests continue, Sazan Real Estate Development told CBS News that the future of the project “will ultimately be determined by Albania and the Albanian people.”
Source: CNA
