The Trump family's luxury resort in Albania under the prosecutor's microscope. “Object of Envy”
Albanian anti-corruption prosecutors are investigating a luxury resort project linked to US President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
The project covers the uninhabited island of Sazan in the Adriatic Sea and several hundred hectares of the Vjosa-Narta Protected Landscape Area, a sensitive coastal wetland that is a habitat for flamingos, seals and sea turtle nesting places.
SPAK, Albania's special anti-corruption prosecutor's office, confirmed on Monday that it had opened an investigation into controversial changes to the area's protection status and land ownership in 2024, which opened the way to tourism development. By the time of publication, the prosecutor's office had not responded to a request for further comment.
Kushner, who heads a private equity firm [inwestycje polegające na obejmowaniu lub kupowaniu udziałów w spółkach, które nie są notowane na giełdzie] Affinity Partners, has a separate real estate portfolio estimated at billions of dollars.
Trump's son-in-law also serves as Trump's special envoy for peace and takes part in diplomatic negotiations regarding the Gaza Strip, Iran and the war in Ukraine. Critics raise the issue of his business empire overlapping with his political roles.
In August 2024, Kushner revealed Affinity Partners' plans to turn the area into a luxury resort, and in early 2026 he visited the area with his wife, Ivanka. In a recent interview with POLITICO, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama confirmed that talks are ongoing between the government and Kushner regarding this deal, which is expected to include 10 thousand hotel rooms.
Kushner and Affinity Partners did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the investigation.
Speaking to Albanian parliamentarians on Monday, Rama denied that the project would violate the boundaries of a protected nature reserve and said the final proposal had not yet been submitted and the environmental impact assessment was not complete.
SPAK was established with EU and US support as part of a sweeping justice reform in 2019. It operates independently of the national judiciary and has investigated, prosecuted and convicted many senior officials on both sides of the political spectrum. According to several independent surveys, it is currently the most trusted institution in the country.
Violent protests
Protests organized by citizens and environmental non-governmental organizations began in late May when developers erected high fences topped with barbed wire at the site of a planned development in Zvernec in southern Albania, preventing residents and tourists from accessing the beach.
On Sunday evening, protesters, including citizens and representatives of various environmental organizations, gathered in front of government buildings and demanded suspension of the project, protection of this area from development, and even the resignation of the Prime Minister.
Another demonstration is planned for June 6 near the planned location near Vlorë, as calls for action from civil society grow.
After Saturday's protests, footage emerged showing private security guards apparently attacking and then dragging a protester along a cliff while threatening other protesters who tried to remove fences and stop construction.
Albanian authorities revoked the licenses of two private security companies following the incident, and one of the security guards was arrested and imprisoned. About 15 protesters were also charged and the local police chief was stripped of his position.
“I want to make Albania a country that will be the envy of the region, and this project is part of that effort.” Rama said on Monday.
Albania has set itself the goal of joining the EU by 2030. and opened all negotiation chapters of the accession process. The EU's 27 heads of state will meet in Montenegro on Friday to discuss EU enlargement with the leaders of the Western Balkans, including Rama.
Kushner's investment company withdrew from implementing a large investment in Serbia in 2025 following the controversy surrounding the project and investigations conducted by local anti-corruption authorities.
