An Albanian-American man, Artur Shehu, is under investigation for alleged drug trafficking and money laundering. The controversy surrounds plans to build luxury resorts in protected coastal areas, sparking mass protests in Tirana.
Shehu sold land for a potential development backed by Jared Kushner’s company, the Albania Land Development LLC. Prosecutors allege he falsified financial documents related to other real estate projects.
The Organized Crime and Corruption Project (OCCRP) reported that an Albanian court froze over $127 million from the sale of this land. The Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK) is also investigating whether Shehu acquired the land fraudulently.
Shehu told a TV show he sold the land through a middleman and did not know who bought it. The company, Albania Land Development LLC, is owned by a complex of shell companies including one in Qatar.
Kushner’s investment firm, Affinity Partners, referred inquiries to Sazan Real Estate Development, which stated it represents investors involved in their personal capacity.