In recent years, Albania has been trying to change its face from a country of corruption and poverty into a country of luxury tourism that has nothing to envy from other similar destinations. The impressively beautiful landscapes quickly attracted investors, but not everyone shares their enthusiasm.
See more of our articles in the search results
Only a few hours have passed since the violent incidents that broke out in Zvërnec, Albania, and the tension surrounding the creation of a tourist resort, one of the most ambitious plans of Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, shows no signs of abating.
Zvërnec is no longer just a local dispute among Albanian residents but has taken on international dimensions.
The Greek diaspora is reacting and protesting against this tourist resort, and their protests concern the fact that this area is one of the most environmentally sensitive areas of the Albanian Riviera, while there are also fears for the properties of the Greek National Minority.
Why the residents are protesting
As for the Greek expatriates, the issue has not only one dimension, that of protecting an environmentally sensitive area. The expatriates express concern that if the area experiences major tourist development, its character will be completely altered and pressures will intensify on their properties, which have belonged to minority families for generations.
The company behind the construction of the project
The development of the project is reportedly entrusted to the company "Zvërnec South Adriatic Development," which is linked to international investment structures involving Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump, and businessmen from Qatar. However, this project seems to be just one piece of the puzzle in the broader plan of Kushner and Trump.
The couple aspires to create one of the largest and most impressive tourist projects presented in recent years in the wider Albanian Riviera. It is noted that the investment budget of this project exceeds 4 billion euros.
The trip to Albania
Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, in 2021, were on vacation with their yacht off the coast of Albania. There, they were apparently attracted by the island of Sazan. This is an area of strategic importance at the entrance to the Bay of Vlorë, which for decades operated as a military base.
The remnants of that era still recall that past. However, this did not deter the couple, who after their vacation met with Edi Rama, who presented them with ways to develop it.
Although the international and Albanian press links the Zvërnec project with Kushner's broader business plans in Albania, available corporate data do not show him or companies of his interest as direct shareholders of Zvërnec South Adriatic Development.
According to the Albanian media Reporter.al, the licenses granted to the company are linked to Kushner.
Legislative interventions
In recent years, the Albanian government, according to international media that have analyzed the issue, has made legislative interventions that facilitate the implementation of strategic investments even in areas under environmental protection.
The goal appears to be none other than the tourist development of the area and Albania's inclusion in the international tourism map.
At the end of 2024, the Albanian government approved an investment plan linked to Kushner worth about $1.4 billion for the development of luxury tourist facilities on Sazan and the wider southern Adriatic region.
According to a written approval, published by Reuters, the project complied with Albania's legislation on strategic investments and job creation requirements, with an estimated number of 1,000 employees.
The violent incidents
Violent incidents broke out yesterday during a protest against the creation of the tourist resort in Zvërnec. As seen in videos posted on social media, police had deployed forces along the fence of the construction site, possibly having been informed in advance of the demonstration and wanting to prevent any tension.
However, tension erupted, and the incidents were particularly violent, with protesters injured, including a Greek citizen.
In the videos, a protester is seen being carried inside the site by employees of a private security company and being injured. He filed a lawsuit against two employees of the security company, who now face criminal prosecution.
The incidents broke out between protesters and individuals in civilian clothes, hats, and sunglasses. The protesters said these were private security for the project.
"They shot him in the neck and he lost consciousness"
The head of the village of Zvërnec, Kostak Konomi, speaking to reporter.al, also spoke of violent treatment before the collapse of the protester who is seen in the video falling to the ground. "They shot him in the neck and he lost consciousness. He was spitting blood at the hospital," Konomi said.
The police response
In an official statement released after the protest, the Albanian Police said that a group of protesters committed violent acts to damage the construction site fence.
"During the gathering, the situation escalated and a group of protesters committed violent acts aimed at breaking the fence of the company's construction site," the statement said.
The police identified the protester as ES and said he had forcibly entered the restricted area. At the same time, it reported that during his transfer by private guards, he suffered bodily harm and that legal proceedings have been initiated against two private security employees and 15 protesters.
The statement of the responsible company
The company Zvërnec South Adriatic Development, which has undertaken the tourist project, did not directly address the allegations of violence in its public response. In a statement, it condemned acts against private property and accused critics of spreading inaccurate information.
"We unequivocally condemn any act of violence against private property and reject any attempt to misinform the public," the company said in a statement.
Athens reacted
The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement, protested to Tirana, demanding clarification of the case and accountability, however, it noted "the first response of the Albanian authorities."
Athens simultaneously expressed its deep concern over the incidents and meaningfully reminded that compliance with the European acquis is a precondition for Albania's accession process.
Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its deep concern over the incidents that took place yesterday, May 30, 2026, in Zvërnec, Albania, during a protest by residents for their property rights, among whom is a Greek citizen who was injured. The Greek Embassy in Tirana immediately took all necessary actions to provide him with any necessary consular and medical assistance.
The Greek Embassy in Tirana is also making the necessary representations to the Albanian side, requesting a full investigation of the incident and accountability. We note in this context the first response of the Albanian authorities.
We emphasize the need for full respect of the rule of law, including the protection of the rights and properties of members of the Greek National Minority, as well as the importance of effective protection of protected environmental areas in the context of alignment with the European acquis, compliance with which is a precondition for the progress of the accession process."
Follow us on social media!
