Protesters Storm Jared Kushner-Backed Resort Project in Albania, Tear Down Razor Wire Fence

Around 200 demonstrators tore down metal fencing and razor wire surrounding the construction site of a luxury resort on Albania’s Adriatic coast on Saturday (13/6/2026), signalling mounting public anger over development in an area considered environmentally sensitive. A wave of protests against luxury tourism projects has been underway for several weeks in Albania. One of the targets is a planned luxury resort backed by a company linked to Jared Kushner, son-in-law of United States President Donald Trump, near Vlora, a region known as a habitat for flamingos and a nesting site for turtles. Residents of Rrjoll village, in an area of sandy beaches and pine forests in northwestern Albania, also took to the streets to protest another project they claim was built on their land that had been previously confiscated. The crowd waved Albanian national flags and chanted ‘Revolution’ as they tore down the project’s perimeter fence. The action was marked by minor clashes with police, but officers did not stop the demonstrators from pulling down the fence. One landowner, Zeke Nikolle Shullani, said the protests would continue until residents receive compensation for land they claim was seized. According to him, around 200 families are affected by the issue. Meanwhile, the five-star luxury resort project at the site is being developed by an Albanian company and has obtained ‘special investor’ status from the government. Residents say the developer never consulted the local community. Another landowner, Nikolin Markpalaj, accused the investor of ignoring residents’ aspirations and warned that tensions could escalate further if the community’s demands are not addressed.