Protests against the luxury tourism resort that Jared Kushner plans to develop in Albania escalated on Thursday, when police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators outside parliament in Tirana.
The movement, known as the "Flamingo Revolution" after the birds of the protected Narta Lagoon wetland, accuses authorities of corruption and environmental destruction.
"I am here to get rid of the government. Rama must go, he is a thief," one protester said.
Irreparable damage
Preparatory works in Zvërnec have already caused extensive damage to sand dunes and breeding grounds of the threatened Caretta caretta sea turtle, according to scientists, while interventions in the Narta Lagoon have disrupted the natural exchange of water.
Marine biologist Olsi Nika, head of environmental organisation EcoAlbania, described the situation as a "real massacre of biodiversity" across thousands of hectares.
Meanwhile, Albanian prosecutors are investigating allegations of forged property titles and money laundering linked to the land involved in the project, according to Reuters. The investigation is examining a Miami-based businessman who sold the land to developers associated with Kushner and who is also accused of laundering proceeds from cocaine trafficking.
The businessman denies the allegations, while the developers maintain that the transactions were lawful.
Kushner, who has described the site as a discovery he and his wife Ivanka Trump made during a yacht trip, has not commented publicly since the demonstrations began.
