Albania orders arrest of 20 in money laundering probe, some linked to Kushner resort project

Arrests and allegations

SPAK sought the arrest of 20 Albanian citizens for international cocaine trafficking and laundering the proceeds. Four were taken into custody on Saturday. The SPAK statement said the investigation revealed involvement in activities that allegedly served to hide the origin of assets and integrate illegal income into the official economy.

“actions that allegedly served to conceal the origin of assets and the integration of proceeds from illegal activities into the official economy”

No direct mention of the Kushner project was made in the SPAK announcement, but local media reports say some suspects may be connected to it.

Asset freeze and company link

A court order freezes assets exceeding 128.4 million euros. The order is tied to sale contracts signed by three citizens (A.Sh, F.S, and B.S) with a company identified in public documents as 'A...L...D... sh.a', which local media have called 'Albania Land Development'. The frozen assets relate to real estate and construction projects in Tirana, Palasë, Himarë, and other coastal areas.

Kushner's resort project

The project, led by US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and his wife Ivanka Trump, plans a luxury tourist complex with hotels and villas on the Vjosa/Narta coast, 150 kilometres southwest of Tirana, and a resort on the uninhabited Sazan Island, a former military base. The development has drawn fierce opposition for threatening a protected area.

Protests across Albania

Large demonstrations have taken place over the past two weeks in Tirana and other cities, with thousands protesting the project. Environmental groups are demanding the project be halted.