Thousands protest in Albania against coastal resort linked to Jared Kushner

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.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Italy’s PM Meloni determined to continue sending migrants to Albanialist 2 of 3‘Russia will not attack any other European country’: Albanian PM Edi Ramalist 3 of 3Man on trial in Albania kills judge, injures two others in shootingend of listChanting “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 titles and their sale to investors.Wednesday’s demonstration followed an initial gathering in Zvernec on Saturday, where dozens of people, including environmental activists, protested over the installation of barbed wire blocking access to the beach.Private security guards attacked and injured several protesters, leading authorities to suspend several police officers and revoke the licences of two private security companies.It has not been confirmed that the land surrounded by barbed wire has been bought by Kushner’s investment firm, Affinity Partners. Kushner presented a plan for development projects in Albania two years ago.According to that plan, Kushner intended to transform Sazan – formerly a secret communist military base – into a luxury tourist destination, a development worth an estimated 1.4 billion euros ($1.2bn). Luxury hotels were also planned in Zvernec.