Albanian prosecutors are investigating Artur Shehu, a Miami-based businessman, over allegations that he used forged property documents to sell a stretch of Albania's southern coastline earmarked for a luxury resort backed by a company linked to Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump.
According to prosecutors, Shehu is under investigation for suspected drug trafficking, money laundering, and acquiring land through forged ownership deeds. Authorities allege that he sold the coastal property for about 110 million euros to a company involved in the planned luxury resort development. Shehu has denied all allegations, insisting that he legally owned the land and that the sale was conducted lawfully.
Prosecutors stressed that Jared Kushner and the project's investors are not accused of any wrongdoing. They said there is no evidence suggesting that Kushner or his investment partners knew the property ownership documents were allegedly forged at the time the land was purchased.
The proposed luxury resort has sparked widespread controversy in Albania. Local residents, environmental groups, and opposition activists argue that the development could damage the area's protected coastline and violate the rights of people claiming ownership of the land. Demonstrations against the project, known as the "Flamingo Revolution," have become one of the country's most significant protest movements in recent years.
Albania's Special Anti-Corruption and Organized Crime Structure (SPAK) is continuing its investigation, while a court has frozen several assets and bank accounts believed to be connected to the land transaction until the inquiry is completed. Authorities say the investigation will determine whether the property was obtained and sold through fraudulent means and whether additional individuals were involved.