Thousands protest in Albania against coastal resort linked to Jared Kushner

Key points

• Environmental organisations have called for the project’s suspension, citing threats to biodiversity, while Albania’s Socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama has defended the project.
• Thousands of Albanians have protested in the capital Tirana against a coastal tourism complex planned by a company linked to Jared Kushner, son-in-law of the United States President Donald Trump.
• The project includes the construction of hotels on the uninhabited island of Sazan and in the protected coastal area of Vjosa-Narta, a wetland home to flamingos, seals and sea turtle nesting sites in the southern community of Zvernec.
• Chanting “cancel the project” and holding “Albania is not for sale” banners, the protesters on Wednesday demanded the government block the resort project, which has raised concerns over environmental damage and corruption.
• On Tuesday, the special prosecutor’s office to combat corruption and organised crime (SPAK) said it had opened an investigation into the funds used for acquiring the land...