Albanians Protest Resort Project for 20th Straight Day

Thousands of Albanians gathered in Tirana on Friday for the 20th consecutive evening of protests against a planned luxury resort on the country's southern coast. The project site lies inside a protected area near Zvernec, roughly 100 kilometers southwest of the capital. Protesters have marched nightly since late May after fencing and earth-moving equipment appeared on the beach.

Marchers carried Albanian flags and pink flamingo banners while chanting for cancellation of the project and the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. " Environmental activist Denisa Kasa said the protests had already produced a European Parliament call for a moratorium on new construction inside protected zones.

Biologist Xhemal Xheri told AFP the demonstrations also target a national law that permits development inside other protected areas.

Police stated that 27 people were charged overnight with directing marchers off approved routes and undermining public order. Earlier in the week, 35 others faced similar charges after blocking a highway. The protests began after clashes between local residents and private security at the Zvernec site drew wider attention to the development plans.