Albanian protesters are demonstrating against a proposed luxury resort project on Sazan Island linked to Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump.

The unrest highlights a growing clash between high-value foreign investment and local environmental protections. Because Sazan Island is a protected and uninhabited area, the development has become a flashpoint for those alleging government corruption and ecological negligence.

Demonstrations reached a peak earlier this month, with protests documented in Tirana on June 3, 2026 [4]. Local opponents said the project lacks transparency and will cause irreparable environmental damage to the protected island.

Financial estimates for the development vary significantly across reports. The Nation reported the value of the resort deal at $4 billion [1], while Lawyer Monthly cited a figure of $1.5 billion [2]. Another report from Radar Online placed the value at $1.4 billion [3].

Sazan Island is located off the coast of Albania and has long been designated as a protected site. Critics of the deal said the project represents a disregard for the island's uninhabited status and protected legal standing.

Those opposing the resort said the deal was reached through corrupt channels. They argue that the potential for economic gain does not outweigh the loss of biodiversity, and the lack of public oversight in the agreement's procurement process.

“Albanian citizens have taken to the streets to protest a planned luxury resort on Sazan Island.”

The controversy surrounding Sazan Island reflects a broader tension in Albania between attracting prestigious US-linked capital and upholding environmental laws. The wide discrepancy in reported project values, ranging from $1.4 billion to $4 billion, further fuels public suspicion regarding the transparency of the deal's financial terms.