Kushner Resort in Albania: Businessman Accused of Forging Land Deeds Amid Drug Money Laundering Investigation

TIRANA: A Miami-based businessman, Artur Shehu, is under investigation in Albania for allegedly laundering drug money and is suspected of falsifying land deeds for a site where Jared Kushner plans to develop a multi-billion-dollar resort. This information comes from case files reviewed by the country’s organized crime-fighting agency.

Shehu’s lawyer, Kujtim Cakrani, stated that his client denies all allegations against him. Albanian prosecutors have issued an arrest warrant for Shehu, accusing him of laundering money for drug trafficking organizations. The case files allege that Shehu and his associates trafficked cocaine from South America into European ports and used the proceeds to build a real estate empire, allegedly employing forged land-ownership documents.

Cakrani asserted, “Nothing that has been alleged regarding Mr. Artur Shehu’s character is true. He is neither a drug trafficker nor a forger of property documents.” He emphasized that Shehu is aware of the allegations and maintains that the truth differs significantly from the prosecution’s claims.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Justice Department declined to comment on whether Albania had requested assistance in locating or detaining Shehu in Miami.

In April, Shehu sold a stretch of pristine Albanian coastline for the planned resort to Albania Land Development, a company associated with the Kushner-backed project developers, Sazan Real Estate Development, and other investors. Prosecutors indicated that there are “reasonable suspicions” that the assets were acquired through forged documents.

The case files do not implicate Kushner, Sazan Real Estate Development, or other investors in any wrongdoing. There is currently no evidence suggesting that investors were aware of any suspicions regarding Shehu when they purchased the land.

A spokesperson for Sazan Real Estate Development did not address the allegations against Shehu but expressed confidence in the legitimacy of the land acquisitions. Albania Land Development did not respond to requests for comment, and a spokesperson for Kushner declined to provide details about his involvement in the project.

Disputed Project on Pristine Land

The allegations of falsified deeds present another challenge for a high-profile project already facing significant public opposition due to concerns about its impact on local wildlife.

Residents of Zvernec, the village near the proposed resort, have contested Shehu’s land claim in court for over a decade. Recently, a group of residents presented title deeds and tax records to support their assertion of rightful ownership. Their lawyer, Kostandin Beko, indicated that the case remains open and that they intend to seek a court order to halt the resort’s development.

Albania, once among the poorest and most isolated nations in Europe, is now a candidate for EU membership and is experiencing a building boom along its Adriatic coastline. The Kushner-backed resort is planned for an area characterized by wild beaches, forests, and wetlands that are home to endangered species such as sea turtles and flamingos. These birds have become symbols for opponents of the project, who have dubbed their protests the “Flamingo Revolution.”

Kushner’s wife, Ivanka Trump, has stated that the couple conceived the resort idea after viewing the coastline from a yacht years ago. In 2024, Kushner announced the plans on social media, showcasing an artist’s rendering of the proposed development, which includes a hotel, villas, pools, and yacht jetties. The exact amount of his investment has not been disclosed.

The Albanian government has expressed strong support for the project, asserting that the protests are politically motivated. Prime Minister Edi Rama described the initiative as “beautiful” and confirmed that it would proceed regardless of public dissent.

In response to inquiries about the allegations against Shehu, a government spokesperson noted that the administration would not interfere in private transactions but affirmed that the project complies with both Albanian and EU laws. The European Union has previously urged Albania to adhere to environmental regulations as part of its candidacy for membership.

Albanian Prosecutors Step In

The case files against Shehu were compiled by Albania’s Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK), established in 2019 to combat corruption with independent investigators and prosecutors. The files, which are not publicly available, contain 200 pages of information. A SPAK spokesperson confirmed that the agency is investigating the matter but declined to provide further details.

The files are dated June 12, 2026, the same day SPAK announced arrest warrants for 20 individuals involved in narcotics trafficking and money laundering. While the case files identify Shehu and others by name, the arrest warrants only use initials, following standard practice in Albania to protect the identities of suspects before charges are filed.

Cakrani confirmed that Shehu is a target of the investigation but expressed confidence, stating that it is “widely believed” that Albanian prosecutors operate under political and business influences. SPAK has not disclosed whether any of the 20 suspects have been arrested or charged.

The Albanian Living in Miami

According to the SPAK documents, Shehu sold the land for the resort project for approximately €110 million. The agency has ordered the funds to be frozen in a notary’s account, preventing Shehu from accessing them. The documents allege that Shehu and his associates acquired the land using illegally obtained funds and forged ownership documents, creating false property titles or artificially inflating property sizes.

A spokesperson for Sazan Real Estate Development reiterated their belief that the land acquisitions were conducted lawfully and in accordance with applicable procedures. When asked for clarification regarding the legitimacy of the acquisitions in light of the allegations against Shehu, no further response was provided.

Cakrani asserted that Shehu’s family has owned the land since the Ottoman Empire, over a century ago, and that the sale to the resort investors was lawful. He characterized Shehu as an upstanding citizen who sought political asylum in the U.S. in 1998 after witnessing the murder of his brother and uncle by criminal gangs, a claim that remains unverified.

Source: www.emirates247.com

Read all the latest developments and breaking updates in the Latest News section.

Published on 2026-07-11 12:44:00 • By the Editorial Desk