Albania’s Special Prosecution Office Against Corruption and Organised Crime (SPAK) has frozen more than €128 million held in the accounts of notary Amela Mukaj. The funds are connected to controversial land sales in the Zvërnec area and form part of a growing investigation into coastal resort developments supported by Kushner-backed investments.
The preventive seizure order was issued on 10 June 2026 and targets funds related to three land sale contracts, all dated 24 April 2026.
Massive Asset Freeze
The total amount seized includes €110.2 million from a contract between Artur Shehu and Albanian Land Development sh.pk, €10 million from transactions involving Ferdinand and Burbuqe Sulaj, and over €8 million from an additional contract with the same parties. All these funds were held in a single account registered to Amela Mukaj.
SPAK described the seizure as targeting movable assets and euro-denominated monetary funds connected to the three land deals.
Links To Kushner Development
The investigation shows that the funds were intended for property purchases by Artur Shehu through Albanian Land Development. This company acted as an intermediary for firms owned by Qatar’s Al-Qayat brothers. The land involved is part of the Zvërnec area, which is planned for development under a resort project backed by Jared Kushner’s investment firm, Affinity Partners.
Additional Seizures In Luxury Resort
Assets linked to Erion and Adrian Ramaj, nephews of a local figure known as “Miri i Xhike,” have also been seized. Their holdings include villas in the Green Coast development, a luxury resort complex on Albania’s southern coast. This expands the scope of SPAK’s ongoing investigation.
Public Outcry And Protests
The seizures come amid increased scrutiny following the 2024 removal of protected status from land in the Vjosa-Narta and Zvërnec areas. This change allowed large-scale tourism projects to proceed. The case has triggered mass protests in Tirana, where thousands have demanded transparency and accountability concerning land transfers linked to the Kushner-backed development.
Originally published by UKNIP.
