After three days of violent clashes with the police against the development of the "Blue Borgo" resort in the area between Shëngjin and Velipoja, the residents of Rrjoll gathered today in front of the Special Prosecutor's Office (SPAK) where they requested the intervention of justice to resolve the conflict over ownership of the land where the project is being developed.
Just like about a year ago, they protested with banners in front of the same building, with the same request: Suspension of works and investigation of the documentation that passed ownership to the "Gener 2" company, which they consider to be forged.
A year later, according to residents and their lawyers, there is no information whether any concrete investigative actions have been taken. After today's protest, lawyer Ndue Pjetra said that SPAK has delegated the case to the Shkodra Court and Prosecution Office.
"Deliberately delayed process"
The residents' lawyer, Ndue Pjetra, told Citizens.al that the delay in the process so far has been intentional. According to him, this gives time to Fatmir Shpellza, suspected of forging property documents, "to regulate the acts".
Pjetra requested the involvement of the National Inspectorate of Territorial Protection (IKMT), to verify whether the company "Gener 2", which is working in the field, is acting in accordance with the law.
"If it turns out that everything is in order, the residents will withdraw from the cause," he said, adding that they have filed a civil lawsuit in the Shkodra Court for the destruction of ownership and its recognition in favor of the residents, who claim to have owned it for about 100 years.
Prek Molla, a resident of the area, said that on Monday, February 9, they will appear before the justice institutions in Shkodra in order to request the suspension of the works until a final decision is made.
Lawyer Klodian Reçi raised concerns about the lack of institutional controls. He paralleled the IKMT's quick reaction to small and private constructions with the lack of verifications for a project that extends over about 146 hectares by a strategic investor. "it doesn't even go for verifications."
The protest was also supported by representatives of opposition parties, including "Lëvizja Bashke" and "Mundësia". They were also present at the protest held the day before in Rrjoll, where one person was injured.
"With her signature, Belinda Balluku is destroying people's lives," Redi Muçi declared before SPAK, describing the conflict as part of a 35-year-long ownership problem in Albania.
Barbara Doda from the "Mundësia" party expressed support for the residents.
The "Gener 2" project foresees an investment of 280 million euros for the construction of 33 accommodation structures and service, with facilities from 3 to 10 floors above ground and one underground floor, including hotel and social-cultural structures.
The development area is planned to be around 146 hectares, approximately 2 kilometers from the natural monument “Rana e Hedhun”. It is part of subzone 1b of the “Buna River-Velipoja Protected Landscape”.
In this subzone, the second level of environmental protection is implemented, which aims to preserve biodiversity, allowing traditional, economic and tourist activities, as long as they do not violate the protection objectives.
With the amendments to the Law on Protected Areas, in 2024, the concept of "tourism of excellence" was also included, which provides for accommodation structures with high architectural and environmental standards.
Thus, according to Article 33 of the revised law, the development of 5-star tourist structures and supporting infrastructure is now permitted, even within protected areas.
In this context, an assessment conducted by the NEA concluded that the "Blue Borgo" project does not conflict with legislation on protected areas.
In a public response on February 5, the company "Gener 2" stated that the "Blue Borgo" project, developed by another company part of the "Aba Blue Borgo" group (Aba Holding), is in full compliance with all legal and by-laws in force.
According to the company, all legal procedures were followed from the conception phase to obtaining the final construction permit in December 2025. “Gener 2” says that public hearings were held and that no property rights were violated.
The company calls the allegations of illegality unfounded and misleading. It says it is determined to continue the project within the deadlines, considering the project an important tourist destination for the area.
For more than a year, the conflict between residents claiming ownership of the land and the company that obtained the construction permit has remained unresolved. No judicial institution has yet issued a final decision.
"When will these issues come to an end?" asked the lawyer Reçi, "When those who came before them are dead, or only after the resorts are built and no longer being demolished?"
Read also:
- "Blue Borgo" Resort: Residents clash with police, construction continues
- Residents of Rrjoll, at SPAK for property rights
He completed his master's studies in the department of Journalism and Communication Sciences at the University of Tirana. She has been reporting for more than four years in Citizens.al on issues of culture, urban development, feminism, etc. She is also a contributor to other local and foreign online media, and has worked in the editing of various materials. She is the author of the podcast "Pezull" on Citizens.al and is engaged as a coordinator of projects related to the empowerment of young journalists and migration issues.
