Sazan island and Zvernec coastal resort projects (Kushner-linked)
Status: Ongoing. No signed Sazan agreement or construction permit confirmed in sources reviewed. Zvernec works and permit status disputed. SPAK inquiry reported but not confirmed officially.
Summary
The Strategic Investment Committee granted strategic investor status on 30 December 2024 to Atlantic Incubation Partners LLC for a 45-hectare project on Sazan island (of a 562-hectare island), with a planned investment of about EUR 1.4 billion, according to Citizens.al. The company is linked to Jared Kushner and Affinity Partners in press reporting. The Prime Minister has said no agreement has been concluded for Sazan, and reporting says no construction applications had been submitted for either site.
The Zvernec project lies in the Vjosa-Narta protected landscape (Pishe Poro-Narte). Protests began in May 2026. BirdLife and Mongabay report machinery working in the protected area from late April 2026 without permits or an environmental impact assessment; the government says the works comply with the law. The government account says the National Territorial Council approved a development permit on 30 March 2026; the Inspectorate (IKMT) describes a 29 April 2026 preparatory decision. The two accounts conflict.
The Protected Areas Law was amended in February 2024 (Law No. 21/2024 amending Law No. 81/2017). BirdLife says it allowed luxury resort construction in previously strictly protected zones. On 17 June 2026 the European Parliament backed an amendment calling for a moratorium on permitting in protected areas and repeal of the 2024 changes. A Politico report, relayed by N1, says SPAK opened an investigation into the Sazan resort and Vjosa-Narta area; no official SPAK statement was found. An unverified Greek report (7 June 2026) says the investor was preparing to withdraw from Sazan; this was not confirmed.
Key facts
- Protected Areas Law amended February 2024 (Law No. 21/2024 amending Law No. 81/2017) (BirdLife; search summary).
- Strategic investor status granted to Atlantic Incubation Partners LLC on 30 December 2024; 10-year status; 45 ha of a 562 ha island; about EUR 1.4 billion planned investment (Citizens.al, fetched).
- PM Rama said no agreement had been concluded for Sazan (DPA via Gazeta Tema; search summary).
- European Parliament resolution, 17 June 2026, backed a moratorium on protected-area permits and repeal of the 2024 amendments (Citizens.al, BirdLife).
- Protests over Zvernec from May 2026 (Citizens.al, 31 May 2026).
What is proven
Established by documents or official records, as stated in the research. A recorded charge or indictment proves only that the accusation was made.
- Strategic investor decision of 30 December 2024 for Atlantic Incubation Partners LLC: 45 ha, about EUR 1.4 billion planned investment (Citizens.al).
- Amendment to the Protected Areas Law in February 2024 (BirdLife and other sources; primary text not reviewed).
What is alleged
Accusations, not findings. Those accused are presumed innocent.
- Works in Zvernec without permits or EIA (BirdLife, Mongabay; government says lawful).
- Misleading statement to parliament on the lagoon opening (BirdLife claim).
Allegations and who made them
- BirdLife (2 June 2026): the government told parliament one Narta Lagoon opening was closed for environmental surveying; BirdLife says the ground evidence does not support that.
- BirdLife and Mongabay: works in the protected area without permits or EIA (NGO claim).
- Greek City Times (7 June 2026, unverified): Kushner's firm preparing to withdraw from Sazan.
- Spanish-language blog (unverified): SPAK asset freeze linked to Affinity Partners.
Open questions
- Whether a Sazan concession or investment agreement with the Strategic Investment Corporation has been signed.
- Exact nature and date of the NTC decision(s) for Zvernec (30 March vs 29 April 2026) and whether any construction permit exists.
- Whether the Investment Committee decision covers Zvernec or only Sazan (one source says Zvernec is not mentioned).
- Status of the SPAK investigation reported via Politico/N1.
- Text of Law 21/2024 and its effect on Vjosa-Narta zoning.
Responses
Responses of the people and organisations concerned, as recorded.
- Prime Minister Rama rejected criticism and said no agreement has been concluded for Sazan (DPA via Gazeta Tema: https://english.gazetatema.net/politics/albanias-rama-rejects-criticism-of-kushner-linked-luxury-resort-plans-i345865).
- Government account: investors submitted a masterplan in 2024; NTC approved a development permit on 30 March 2026 (per search summary of the government account).
Figures
Money trail →Planned Sazan investment (Atlantic Incubation Partners project)
€1,400,000,000
Incomplete figureotherSource label: Officially reportedStated by an official body (SPAK, a court, the Ombudsman, a prosecutor). An accusation is verified only as an accusation.Stated definition: Planned investment as reported at the strategic investor decision; not a contract value; no signed agreement per PM. Incomplete: no breakdown.
Date: 30 Dec 2024 · Payer: Atlantic Incubation Partners LLC (investor) · Payee: Sazan project (no agreement concluded per PM)
- From visitor to strategic investor: how Jared Kushner secured Sazan (opens in a new tab)Citizens.al · 16 Jan 2025 · journalism · EN
Timeline
Full timeline →Parliament
Protected Areas Law amended (Law No. 21/2024)
The amendment allowed tourism and resort development in certain protected-area categories, per BirdLife and search summaries.
Government
Strategic Investment Committee grants Sazan project strategic investor status
The committee accepted a proposal from Atlantic Incubation Partners LLC for 45 ha on Sazan, with about EUR 1.4bn planned investment and 10-year status (Citizens.al, fetched).
Government
NTC approves development permit for Zvernec (government account)
Per the Prime Minister's office account, the National Territorial Council approved a development permit on 30 March 2026 after a revised masterplan. IKMT describes a 29 April 2026 preparatory decision; the accounts conflict.
Other
Heavy machinery enters Pishe Poro-Narte protected area
Mongabay and BirdLife report machinery working in the protected area from late April 2026 without permits or EIA (NGO claim; government says the works comply with the law).
Protest
Protest over Zvernec in Tirana (violence reported)
Protest movement ('Flamingo Revolution') over Zvernec; Citizens.al reports violence at the Tirana protest on 31 May 2026.
Media
Unverified report that the Kushner firm is preparing to withdraw from Sazan
Greek City Times report citing unnamed sources and relaying a report attributed to Gazeta Journal. Not confirmed by any official source or primary report found.
International
European Parliament backs moratorium on construction in protected areas
EP resolution on Albania's 2025 report: Amendment 46a calls for an immediate moratorium on permits and works in protected areas and repeal of the 2024 changes; the freeze to stay until repeal.
Connections
Government decision←Atlantic Incubation Partners LLCSource label: Officially reportedStated by an official body (SPAK, a court, the Ombudsman, a prosecutor). An accusation is verified only as an accusation.
Strategic investor status
Evidence: Strategic Investment Committee granted status on 30 Dec 2024 (Citizens.al).
Government decision←National Territorial Council (Keshilli Kombetar i Territorit)Source label: Under investigationCredible reporting or investigative material that a court has not established.
Development permit (disputed date)
Evidence: Government account says the NTC approved a development permit on 30 March 2026; IKMT describes a 29 April 2026 preparatory decision.
Official position←Edi RamaSource label: Officially reportedStated by an official body (SPAK, a court, the Ombudsman, a prosecutor). An accusation is verified only as an accusation.
No agreement concluded (PM)
Evidence: PM Rama said no agreement had been concluded for Sazan (DPA via Gazeta Tema).