Serbian Protesters Pledge to Block Kushner-Linked Real Estate Project
Thousands of Serbian protesters have formed a human shield around a bombed-out military complex, vowing to prevent its redevelopment into a luxury compound by a company linked to US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner. The $500 million project has faced fierce opposition from experts and the public.
Serbian ProtestsJared KushnerReal Estate ProjectNato BombingAleksandar VucicReal EstateNov 11, 2025
Youth-led protesters drew a red line as they encircled the sprawling buildings in the capital, Belgrade, that were partially destroyed in a 1999 NATO bombing campaign.
The site faces demolition and redevelopment under a plan backed by the populist government of President Aleksandar Vucic. The $500-million project to build a high-rise hotel, offices, and shops at the site has met fierce opposition from experts at home and abroad, as well as the Serbian public.
But last week Serbian lawmakers passed a special law clearing the way for the construction despite legal hurdles. Vucic’s pro-Trump government says the project would boost the economy and ties with the US administration, which has imposed tariffs of 35% on imports from Serbia. It has also sanctioned Serbia’s monopoly oil supplier, which is controlled by Russia.
However, critics say the building is an architectural monument, seen as a symbol of resistance to the US-led NATO bombing that remains widely viewed in the Balkan country as an unjust “aggression.”
Serbia’s government last year stripped the complex of protected status and signed a 99-year-lease agreement with Kushner-related Affinity Global Development in the US. But the redevelopment project came into question after Serbia’s organized crime prosecutors launched an investigation into whether documents used to remove that status were forged.
The buildings are seen as prime examples of mid-20th century architecture in the former Yugoslavia. The protesters demanded that the protected heritage status for the complex be restored, and the buildings rebuilt. “This is a warning that we will all defend these buildings together,” one of the students said. “We will be the human shield.”
The issue has become the latest flashpoint in yearlong street protests that have shaken Vucic’s firm grip on power. Protesters have accused his government of rampant corruption in state projects. The protests started after a concrete canopy collapsed at a train station in the northern city of Novi Sad after renovation, killing 16 people.
Tens of thousands of people marked the tragedy’s anniversary on Nov. 1 in Novi Sad. Serbia was bombed in 1999 for 78 days to force then-President Slobodan Milosevic to end his crackdown on separatist ethnic Albanians in Kosovo. Anti-NATO sentiment remains strong in Serbia, and the US role in revamping the military buildings is particularly sensitive among many Serbians.
Earlier this year, the government in Albania, another Balkan country, approved a $1.6 billion plan from Kushner’s company for a project to develop a luxury resort on a communist-era fortified island on the Adriatic coast.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the $500 million project in Serbia?
The $500 million project in Serbia involves building a high-rise hotel, offices, and shops at a bombed-out military complex in Belgrade. The project is backed by the Serbian government and is linked to Jared Kushner's company, Affinity Global Development.
Why are Serbian protesters against this project?
Protesters are against the project because they view the military complex as an architectural monument and a symbol of resistance to the 1999 NATO bombing. They also question the legal and ethical aspects of the project, including the stripping of the complex's protected status.
What role does President Aleksandar Vucic play in this controversy?
President Aleksandar Vucic's government supports the project, arguing it will boost the economy and improve ties with the US. However, his stance has sparked accusations of corruption and mismanagement of state projects.
How has the US administration influenced this project?
The US administration, through Jared Kushner's company, is involved in financing the project. The Serbian government sees this as an opportunity to strengthen economic ties with the US, despite the ongoing tariffs on Serbian imports.
What other projects is Jared Kushner’s company involved in in the Balkans?
Earlier this year, the government in Albania approved a $1.6 billion plan from Kushner’s company to develop a luxury resort on a communist-era fortified island on the Adriatic coast.
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