Protesters tear down Albanian development site fences, amid anger over coastal projects
Growing Discontent Over Coastal Development Projects in Albania
Protests Erupt at Adriatic Coast Luxury Development
RRJOLL, Albania, June 13 (Reuters) - Some 200 protesters on Saturday tore down metal and razor wire fences surrounding a luxury development site on Albania's Adriatic coast, in another sign of growing anger against construction in environmentally sensitive areas.
Background: Controversial Projects and Environmental Concerns
Luxury Resort Near Vlora Faces Opposition
Albanians have been protesting for weeks against a planned luxury resort backed by a company linked to Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, near Vlora, which is famed for its flamingos and a turtle nesting site.
Rrjoll Villagers Protest Land Confiscation
On Saturday, villagers from Rrjoll, located in an area of sandy beaches and pine forests in northwestern Albania, protested against another project not linked to Kushner, saying it was being built on their confiscated land.
Demonstrations and Police Response
They waved Albanian national flags and shouted "Revolution" as they tore down the fences. Some scuffles with police broke out but the police did not stop them from removing the fencing.
Voices from the Protest
Demands for Compensation
"The protests will not stop until the residents of the village of Rrjoll are compensated. We are 200 families whose land has been seized," said Zeke Nikolle Shullani, 56, one of the landowners who have been protesting for several months.
Government and Investor Actions
An Albanian company has been developing a five-star luxury tourist resort on the site and the project was granted "special status investor" by the Albanian government.
Local Landowners Speak Out
"What is happening in this country is madness," said Nikolin Markpalaj, 60, another local landowner. "We asked the investors to come and consult with the people but they refused. They think they can take all this wealth without blood or anything else that might happen here?"
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Fatos Bytyci; Writing by Ivana SekularacEditing by Gareth Jones)
