Thousands protest Kushner's resort plan in Albania

Thousands of Albanians took to the streets of Tirana to protest a luxury resort project proposed by Jared Kushner, former U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law. The development plans include building on the uninhabited island of Sazan and within a protected natural area surrounding the Narta lagoon.

This ecologically sensitive region is a vital habitat for diverse wildlife, including flamingos, seals, and turtles. Environmental groups and local residents have voiced strong opposition to the project, fearing irreversible damage to the natural landscape and its inhabitants.

The protests intensified on Tuesday evening after developers erected barbed-wire fences at the site designated for the resort. This action was seen as a provocative move, galvanizing public anger and drawing a large crowd to demonstrate against the perceived encroachment on protected lands. The demonstrators expressed their determination to prevent the construction of the resort.

Kushner's company, Affinity Partners, secured a deal with the Albanian government to develop the Sazan island site into a high-end tourist destination. However, the project has faced significant backlash from environmentalists and citizens concerned about the impact on biodiversity and the natural beauty of the area.