A luxury resort project in southern Albania involving international investors including Jared Kushner is facing escalating controversy after villagers alleged that parts of the development are being built on land that was wrongfully sold despite ongoing ownership disputes. The allegations have triggered protests, legal challenges, and growing scrutiny over land governance in a region where property rights remain deeply affected by the country’s communist-era history.
The dispute centers on coastal land in Zvernec, a village on a peninsula near Vlora, where residents say they were suddenly barred from accessing areas they have used for generations. One villager, Kostaq Konomi, said he encountered barbed wire fencing and private security guards when attempting to reach what he claims is his family’s land. The site has since been incorporated into plans for a large-scale resort project backed by international investors, including companies linked to Kushner.
Residents told Reuters that portions of the land were sold by a rival claimant despite ongoing legal disputes over ownership. Several villagers presented property deeds and tax records they say support their claims, arguing that they were neither consulted nor compensated in the process. Reuters reported it was unable to independently determine rightful ownership of the contested plots, noting that the matter remains subject to unresolved legal proceedings.
The controversy has unfolded against the backdrop of a broader development plan for a multi-billion-euro resort that includes coastal mainland areas and nearby island zones known for their environmental sensitivity. The site is located within or near a protected wetland ecosystem that is home to migratory flamingos, sea turtles, and seals, adding environmental concerns to an already complex legal dispute.
Tensions escalated after fencing and construction-related activity restricted access to parts of the coastline, prompting protests in Tirana, Albania’s capital. Demonstrators called for construction to be halted, citing concerns over transparency, environmental impact, and public access to coastal land. The European Union has also expressed concern regarding potential effects on protected wildlife and habitats in the area.
Kushner, who is not directly involved in the villagers’ legal dispute, did not respond to requests for comment through his investment firm. Reuters reported no evidence of wrongdoing by him in relation to the ownership claims. A development company linked to the project said its partners were investing in a personal capacity and directed inquiries to public statements emphasizing the project’s aim to create jobs and promote tourism in Albania.
The legal dispute is rooted in Albania’s complex land restitution history following the fall of communism in the early 1990s. During communist rule, private property was nationalized, and after the transition to democracy, efforts to restore land ownership to former owners and their descendants often resulted in overlapping claims and contested records. In Zvernec, villagers say their land was returned in the 1990s through official deeds, while competing claims have since emerged, leading to prolonged legal battles.
According to residents and their lawyer, a court ruling in 2013 supported their ownership claims, but appeals and unresolved proceedings have left the dispute open. The opposing claimant in the case has maintained that his family’s ownership dates back to the Ottoman era, though Reuters was unable to verify the full legal basis of his claim. The uncertainty has contributed to continued tension over who has the right to sell or develop the land.
Local residents argue that the disputed sale took place while the ownership status remained legally contested. They also say they were not informed or compensated when the land was transferred to developers. Some villagers have vowed to pursue legal action to halt construction, further complicating the timeline for the resort project.
The dispute has also drawn attention to governance challenges in Albania’s rapidly expanding tourism and investment sectors. Officials and legal experts cited by Reuters note that land ownership disputes remain common due to incomplete records and overlapping historical claims, particularly in coastal and rural areas where development pressure is increasing.
Protests intensified after access to the coastline was restricted, with clashes reported between residents and private security personnel. The fencing that initially blocked access has since been removed, and construction activity has temporarily paused, though it remains unclear when work will resume.
Despite the tensions, Albanian officials have defended the legality of the broader development framework, stating that investment projects can proceed even where ownership disputes are still being litigated, unless courts order otherwise. The project’s supporters argue that it represents a significant economic opportunity for the region, while opponents continue to challenge both the land transfer process and its environmental implications.
As legal proceedings continue and public demonstrations grow, the future of the resort project remains uncertain, with unresolved ownership claims, environmental scrutiny, and political debate converging around one of Albania’s most high-profile coastal developments.
