Albania’s Coastal Paradise at the Center of a Growing Land Battle Over Kushner-Linked Luxury Resort

By Elsie Kamsiyochi

A major luxury resort project linked to Jared Kushner, son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, has become the focus of a deepening controversy in southern Albania, where local villagers claim that land earmarked for the development was sold without their consent and remains the subject of unresolved ownership disputes.

In the quiet coastal village of Zvernec, residents say they were shocked to discover that land they have long considered their own had been incorporated into a multi-billion-euro tourism project. The development, planned along one of Albania’s most pristine stretches of coastline, promises luxury hotels, villas, marinas, and other high-end facilities aimed at attracting wealthy international visitors.

For many local residents, however, the project represents more than just another tourism investment. It has reopened decades-old wounds connected to Albania’s communist past and the country’s ongoing struggle to resolve property rights disputes that have lingered since the fall of the communist regime in the early 1990s.

Among those protesting the development is 81-year-old Kostaq Konomi, who says his family has deep historical ties to the disputed land. According to Konomi, he recently attempted to visit a section of the shoreline he considers part of his property, only to find the area fenced off and guarded by private security personnel. The experience left him angry and emotional, reminding him of the era when the communist government seized private property and restricted access to large portions of the country.

Konomi is one of several elderly villagers who insist they possess legitimate ownership documents dating back to the post-communist land restitution process. Residents showed property deeds, tax records, and legal documents that they believe support their claims. They argue that the land should never have been sold while ownership remains under dispute and say they have received neither compensation nor consultation regarding the development.

Reuters found no evidence that Kushner himself was involved in any wrongdoing or in the disputed land transactions. The ownership battle predates the project and centers on competing claims between local residents and another claimant who sold portions of the land to investors. Nevertheless, the controversy threatens to cast a shadow over one of the most ambitious foreign-backed tourism projects in Albania’s history.

The development is being pursued by Sazan Real Estate Development LLC, whose investors reportedly include Kushner and other international partners. Company representatives have defended the project, describing it as an opportunity to celebrate Albania’s natural beauty, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth for future generations.

The location itself has become part of the controversy. Zvernec sits near the Vjosa-Narta Protected Area, a sensitive environmental zone known for its rich biodiversity. The region serves as a habitat for migrating flamingos, sea turtles, seals, and numerous bird species. Environmental groups, opposition politicians, and local activists have raised concerns that large-scale construction could damage fragile ecosystems and alter the character of the coastline.

Public opposition has intensified in recent weeks. Demonstrations in Albania’s capital, Tirana, have drawn thousands of protesters demanding greater transparency and calling for construction to be halted until legal and environmental concerns are addressed. The issue has also attracted attention from the European Union, which has questioned whether aspects of the project comply with environmental standards expected of countries seeking closer integration with the bloc.

Despite mounting criticism, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has strongly defended the development. Rama argues that the investment represents a major opportunity for economic growth and tourism expansion. He maintains that all necessary legal procedures have been followed and insists environmental protections will remain in place throughout the project.

The dispute highlights a broader challenge that has long complicated investment in Albania. Following decades of communist rule, many properties were nationalized and later became the subject of competing ownership claims when democracy returned. Incomplete records, overlapping legal decisions, and lengthy court battles have left thousands of land disputes unresolved across the country.

At the center of the Zvernec conflict is a long-running legal battle involving local residents and a claimant named Artur Shehu. Villagers argue that Albanian courts previously recognized their ownership rights, while Shehu maintains that his family’s claim dates back generations and remains valid. Appeals and legal proceedings continue, leaving final ownership unresolved.

Local residents and their lawyer are now preparing additional legal action aimed at halting construction until the courts determine who rightfully owns the land. They argue that development should not proceed while the dispute remains active.

The controversy has already led to tense confrontations on the ground. Earlier this year, fencing erected around sections of the project area restricted access to parts of the coastline, triggering protests and clashes between residents and private security guards. Videos of the incidents spread widely on social media, fueling public anger and increasing scrutiny of the development.

For business owners such as Stavri Hysa, who earns a living serving tourists along the beach, the dispute is about more than property ownership. He fears that privatization of the coastline could permanently limit public access to areas that generations of Albanians have enjoyed freely.

As court battles continue and political pressure grows, the future of the Kushner-linked resort remains uncertain. Supporters see the project as a transformative investment that could elevate Albania’s tourism industry to a new level. Opponents view it as a symbol of unresolved land rights issues, environmental risks, and concerns about transparency in major development projects.

The clash between international investment ambitions and local property claims has turned the peaceful shores of Zvernec into one of Albania’s most contentious political and legal battlegrounds, with the outcome likely to shape future development projects across the country.

Source Reuters