Protests in Serbia Target Kushner’s $500M Real Estate Project on NATO-Bombed Site

Demonstrators demand preservation of historic army headquarters as a cultural landmark and criticize government corruption under President Vucic.

Thousands of protesters gathered in Belgrade on the 26th anniversary of the 1999 NATO bombing to oppose Jared Kushner's luxury development project on a historically significant site.
The former army headquarters, designed by architect Nikola Dobrovic, is seen as a symbol of resistance and cultural heritage, with calls for it to be reinstated as a protected site.
The $500M project, backed by Kushner's firm Affinity Partners, includes plans for a Trump hotel, luxury apartments, shops, and a memorial to bombing victims, sparking criticism of its commercial focus.
Protests have grown into a broader anti-government movement, fueled by allegations of corruption and negligence under President Aleksandar Vucic, including anger over a deadly train station roof collapse in 2024.
Serbia’s geopolitical balancing act between EU aspirations and ties with Russia adds complexity to the controversy, as critics argue the project aligns with Russian interests and undermines NATO relations.