Albanian Villagers Claim Disputed Land Sold for Kushner Resort Development

ZVERNEC, Albania: Villagers in the coastal town of Zvernec allege that their land was improperly sold for a luxury resort project involving international investors, including Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump. The claims have sparked significant local unrest and raised questions about land ownership and development practices in Albania.

Kostaq Konomi, an 81-year-old resident, approached his seafront property last month only to find it surrounded by a barbed wire fence and guarded by men in black uniforms who denied him access. He later discovered that the land was now part of a planned luxury resort. Konomi expressed deep frustration, recalling his childhood memories of the area. “I was ready to get a rifle and start shooting,” he stated, emphasizing his emotional connection to the land.

Konomi is among a dozen villagers asserting that their land was wrongfully sold since 2024 by a rival claimant. Several residents presented property deeds and tax records to support their claims, yet none received compensation for the alleged sale. While Kushner is not directly involved in the villagers’ dispute, investigations have not revealed any wrongdoing on his part.

The ongoing legal battle complicates a multi-billion-euro development project that encompasses both an island and a pristine section of mainland, including a protected wetland that serves as a habitat for migrating flamingos, seals, and sea turtles. Protests erupted in Tirana this week, with demonstrators demanding a halt to the project. The European Union has also voiced concerns regarding its potential impact on local wildlife.

Prime Minister Edi Rama, who has supported the development, maintains that it is legal and that environmental habitats will be safeguarded. Kushner did not respond to inquiries through his investment firm, Affinity Partners. Sazan Real Estate Development LLC, the company spearheading the project, has not provided answers regarding the land dispute. A spokesperson referred to a statement from the company’s chairman, Asher Abehsera, who emphasized the aim to celebrate Albania’s natural beauty and create jobs.

The Allure of the Albanian Coast

Zvernec is situated on a narrow peninsula, separated from the mainland by a lagoon frequented by flamingos during the summer months. The area features empty beaches, olive groves, and dramatic cliffs, which captivated Kushner and his wife, Ivanka Trump, during a yacht visit several years ago. Rama recounted that Kushner expressed interest in investing during a subsequent encounter at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

In 2024, Kushner announced plans for the resort on social media, showcasing an artist’s rendering of the proposed development, which includes hotels, houses, pools, and yacht jetties. However, the villagers, many of whom are in their 70s and 80s, are preparing to file a court order to halt the project, highlighting the complexities of investing in Albania, where land disputes are common due to poor record-keeping and a tumultuous history.

Historical Context of Land Disputes

Albania’s history of land disputes can be traced back to the Ottoman Empire, which ruled the region until 1912. Following World War II, the communist regime seized properties, and when democracy returned in the early 1990s, efforts to return seized land often led to disputes. The residents of Zvernec are currently embroiled in a legal battle with Artur Shehu, who claims his family’s rights to the land date back to the Ottoman era.

Shehu, who has lived in Miami for 26 years, stated in a recent television interview that his claim to the land is “undisputed.” He sold the disputed property to investors through an unnamed middleman and claimed not to know who the buyers were. The villagers contest that Shehu had no right to sell the land, citing a 2013 court ruling affirming their ownership. Shehu has appealed the ruling, and the case remains unresolved.

Rama dismissed concerns regarding the ongoing legal dispute, stating that a court trial does not automatically freeze property rights.

Villagers’ Claims and Protests

The villagers have presented property deeds issued by local authorities in the 1990s, which they argue confirm their ownership of the land. They assert that they were not consulted before the sale and received no compensation. Thoma Kola, 84, expressed disappointment, stating, “We thought Rama would offer us money.”

Protests intensified after a fence was erected in May, blocking access to a significant area around Zvernec. Clashes with private security guards resulted in injuries, and footage of the incidents circulated widely on social media. The fence has since been removed, and construction equipment that had begun work on the land has left, though it remains unclear when development will resume.

Local business owner Stavri Hysa, who rents deckchairs and serves refreshments to beachgoers, reflected on the situation, stating that the temporary closure of the shorefront reminded him of the restrictive access during communist times. “When I found out that they had blocked access to the sea, I couldn’t sleep for 15 days,” he said, emphasizing that the beach should remain public.

As reported by www.emirates247.com.

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Published on 2026-06-13 13:24:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk