Around 200 protesters tore down fences at a luxury development site on Albania's Adriatic coast, protesting against construction in environmentally sensitive areas and claiming their land was confiscated. The demonstrations are part of growing anger over coastal projects, including one linked to Jared Kushner.
The protests highlight growing public opposition to coastal development in Albania, particularly concerning environmental impact and land confiscation, potentially impacting future investment and tourism projects.
Around 200 protesters tore down metal and razor wire fences surrounding a luxury development site on Albania’s Adriatic coast, signaling growing anger against construction in environmentally sensitive areas. The villagers of Rrjoll, located in northwestern Albania, claim the project is being built on their confiscated land and are demanding compensation. They waved Albanian national flags and shouted “Revolution” as they removed the fencing.
Some scuffles with police occurred, but authorities did not stop the protesters from removing the fencing. "The protests will not stop until the residents of the village of Rrjoll are compensated. We are 200 families whose land has been seized," said Zeke Nikolle Shullani, one of the landowners.
This incident follows weeks of protests against a separate planned luxury resort near Vlora, backed by a company linked to Jared Kushner, son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump. That project is located in an area known for its flamingos and turtle nesting sites. The Albanian company developing the five-star luxury tourist resort in Rrjoll was granted "special status investor" by the Albanian government.