Zvernec / Sazan project protests and SPAK inquiry (2026)
Status: SPAK investigation ongoing (reported June 2026); project continuing per government; protests continued into July 2026.
Summary
Protests over the Zvernec resort near Vlora began in late May 2026 after private security clashed with residents protesting a barbed-wire fence blocking beach access; police said a group tried to breach the fence and clashes followed on 30 May (IntelliNews). Reporting links the project to Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners and the Sazan Island / Zvernec peninsula, with two Qatari investors also named in media. The development permit was approved on 30 March 2026 and an environmental decision on an in-depth EIA was made on 15 May 2026, 46 days later (Vjosa-Narta reporting).
SPAK opened an investigation into the origin of the property and the funds used to buy it, and froze funds (approx. 200m euros reported) linked to the seller. SPAK said it had opened an investigation into the 2024 changes to protected-area status and land ownership (reported). Rama backed the inquiry while saying the project will continue. The European Parliament on 17 June 2026 called for a moratorium on construction in protected areas and repeal of the 2024 amendments to the Law on Protected Areas (per citizens.al).
Protests spread to Tirana. Police and Interior Ministry figures vary: 14 police injured and 35 detained (one report), 29 injured including 23 police (Health Ministry, per another). Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari condemned violence against police and called for prosecution of private security guards.
Key facts
- Development permit approved 30 March 2026; EIA decision 15 May 2026 (reported).
- Clashes at the fence 30 May 2026 (IntelliNews).
- Al Jazeera reported thousands protesting on 4 June 2026.
- European Parliament resolution 17 June 2026 called for a moratorium on construction in protected areas (citizens.al, BirdLife).
- SPAK opened an investigation; funds linked to the seller were frozen (reported June 2026).
The record
Four lists kept apart on purpose: what is established, what is only alleged, what is still open, and what those concerned said.
What is proven (2)
Established by documents or official records, as stated in the research. A recorded charge or indictment proves only that the accusation was made.
- Protests and clashes occurred (multiple outlets).
- SPAK opened an investigation (reported by SPAK per EWB / Albanian outlets).
What is alleged (2)
Accusations, not findings. Those accused are presumed innocent.
- AllegationIrregular origin of land funds (SPAK investigation; no charges found).
- AllegationThat the Protected Areas law change was tailored for the project (advocacy groups' claim).
Allegations and who made them (2)
Each line is an allegation as recorded, with the person or body that made it where the record names them.
- AllegationProtest groups allege the 2024 protected-areas law amendments enabled the project (Law No. 21/2024 per reporting).
- AllegationOpposition figures accused Lamallari of police violence against protesters (reported; disputed).
Open questions (4)
- Whether any charge is brought in the SPAK case.
- Whether the 2024 amendments to the Law on Protected Areas were repealed.
- Ultimate beneficial ownership of the Zvernec company (not officially confirmed).
- Kushner's response: no direct statement found (Delo: not yet responded).
Responses (3)
Responses of the people and organisations concerned, as recorded.
- Edi Rama: says the investors are reputable and sources verified; SPAK-frozen funds prevent money reaching the seller; says the Zvernec project is separate from Vjosa-Narta (Albanian Daily News, Balkanweb, 2026).
- Zvernec South Adriatic Development: defended the project and said the fenced land is privately owned (IntelliNews).
- Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari: condemned attacks on police; property is private; security company licence may be revoked (Albanian Daily News, Gazeta Tema).
Figures
Money trail →Funds frozen by SPAK linked to the Zvernec land seller
No amount recorded
seizureSource label: UnverifiedStated definition: Reported as nearly 200 million euros in accounts linked to the company (one outlet). Not confirmed by SPAK in retrieved text.
Date: Jun 2026 · Payer: Sazan Real Estate Development / investors (as reported) · Payee: Land seller (blocked)
- Rama defends Zvernec investment project amid reports of asset freeze (opens in a new tab)Albanian Daily News · Jun 2026 · journalism · EN
Disputed Albanian land purchase reported at over USD 120 million
No amount recorded
tenderSource label: Officially reportedStated definition: USD 120m from US House Judiciary Committee press release (political statement; not independently verified).
Date: 2026 · Payer: unknown · Payee: unknown
- Ranking Member Raskin slams Jared Kushner's failure to respond to Congress (opens in a new tab)US House Judiciary Committee (Democrats) · 2026 · political-statement · EN
Timeline
Full timeline →Government
KKTU approves Zvernec development permit
EIA decision followed on 15 May 2026 (reported).
Protest
Clashes at Zvernec fence between residents and private security
Police said a group tried to breach the construction-site fence (reported).
Protest
Thousands protest in Albania against Kushner-linked resort
Reported by Al Jazeera.
International
European Parliament resolution calls for moratorium on construction in protected areas
Demands repeal of 2024 amendments to the Law on Protected Areas (reported by citizens.al). Rama said Zvernec is separate from Vjosa-Narta; the resolution text is cited by advocates as saying otherwise.
Police
Tirana protest injuries (police and demonstrators)
Figures reported differently: 14 police injured and 35 people escorted (Albanian Daily News); Health Ministry: 29 injured incl. 23 police, 5 protesters, 1 bystander. Interior Minister condemned attacks. The month of this report is not confirmed.
Connections
Investor link in media reporting
Evidence: Affinity Partners associated with the Sazan / Zvernec resort in press reporting; Albanian authorities have not accused Kushner (reported).
Sources for this record
Every source the research cites for this record, grouped by its source label. 7 sources.
Source label: VerifiedVerified · 1 source
- Publisher
- Al Jazeera
- Date
- 4 Jun 2026
Source label: Officially reportedOfficially reported · 4 sources
- Publisher
- IntelliNews
- Date
- Jun 2026
- Publisher
- Citizens.al
- Date
- 17 Jun 2026
- Publisher
- Albanian Daily News
- Date
- Jun 2026
- Publisher
- US House Judiciary Committee (Democrats)
- Date
- 2026
Source label: Under investigationUnder investigation · 2 sources
- Publisher
- European Western Balkans
- Date
- 2 Jun 2026
- Publisher
- Albanian Daily News
- Date
- 2026