Albania Probes Forged Deeds in Kushner-Backed Resort Project

The Special Structure Against Corruption and Organised Crime (SPAK) is investigating whether forged property deeds were used in the sale of a protected coastline on Sazan Island. The land was sold in April to Albania Land Development for a luxury resort project backed by Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump. Prosecutors allege that Miami-based businessman Artur Shehu used falsified titles to launder proceeds from a cocaine trafficking network spanning South America and Europe. Consequently, authorities have frozen approximately 110 million euros in a notary account.

Artur Shehu has denied the allegations through his lawyer, Kujtim Cakrani, who asserts the land has been held by the family since Ottoman times. Sazan Real Estate Development maintains the acquisition was legal, and no charges have been filed against Kushner or other investors. Prime Minister Edi Rama has consistently supported the venture, stating it complies with Albanian and European Union law.

The project has triggered the "Flamingo Revolution," a wave of protests over environmental threats to sea turtles and flamingos and allegations of government corruption. These demonstrations escalated into violent clashes with riot police outside the parliament in Tiranë, resulting in 25 arrests.