Albanian anti-corruption prosecutors are investigating whether the land deeds for a protected coastal stretch earmarked for a Jared Kushner-backed resort project were forged. Case files reviewed by Reuters reveal that the legal scrutiny has intensified surrounding the development, which has already sparked months of sustained street protests across Albania. The investigation is being led by the Special Structure Against Corruption and Organised Crime, known locally as SPAK.
The files name Miami-based businessman Artur Shehu as the seller who transferred the land to Albania Land Development, the entity behind the Kushner-linked scheme, in April. Prosecutors allege that Shehu and his associates funneled proceeds from cocaine trafficking into Albanian property, using falsified titles to disguise the illicit origin of the funds. Consequently, authorities have frozen roughly 110 million euros ($126 million) tied to the sale in a notary’s account, pending the outcome of the investigation.
Kujtim Cakrani, the lawyer representing Shehu, has rejected the allegations outright. He stated that none of the claims regarding his client’s character or activities are true, asserting that Shehu is neither a trafficker nor involved in forgery. According to Cakrani, the land was held by the family since the Ottoman era and sold legally. He further argued that the legal moves against his client are widely perceived in Albania as being influenced by political and business interests rather than purely legal merit.
The disclosure of these documents coincides with a broader crackdown, as SPAK simultaneously issued arrest warrants for 20 other individuals accused of narcotics trafficking and money laundering. While Reuters found no evidence that Kushner, Sazan Real Estate Development, or other project backers were aware of these suspicions at the time of the transaction, the revelation has significantly damaged the project`s reputation.
The resort development has become a flashpoint for political unrest in Albania. The site consists of wetlands and beaches along the southern coast, which are critical habitats for sea turtles and flamingos. Protesters have adopted the flamingo as a symbol of their "Flamingo Revolution" against both the resort and allegations of government corruption. Nightly rallies, which began in May focused on the development, have since evolved into a nationwide movement demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. As the investigation continues, the future of the luxury project remains increasingly uncertain amidst the intensifying public backlash.
