Thousands Protest Kushner-Linked Luxury Development at Historic Belgrade Site

Protesters Form 'Human Shield' Around Historic Landmark

Thousands of protesters gathered in Belgrade, Serbia, on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, forming a 'human shield' around the former Yugoslav Army General Staff complex to oppose its redevelopment into a luxury compound by a company linked to Jared Kushner. Demonstrators drew a 'red line' around the site, vowing to physically defend the landmark.

The protests, largely student-led, come days after Serbian lawmakers passed a special law on Friday, November 7, 2025, designed to fast-track administrative procedures for the controversial development. The project, spearheaded by Affinity Global Development, a firm established by Kushner, son-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump, envisions a high-rise hotel, apartments, shops, and offices on the site.

A Site Steeped in History and Controversy

The General Staff complex, located in central Belgrade on Kneza Miloša Street and Nemanjina Street, holds significant historical and architectural value for many Serbians. Built between 1955 and 1965, the modernist structure was severely damaged during the 1999 NATO bombing campaign amid the Kosovo conflict. For many, the bombed-out ruins serve as a poignant memorial to those who died and a symbol of national suffering and resistance.

The Serbian government, led by President Aleksandar Vučić, stripped the complex of its protected cultural heritage status in November 2024, a move that has drawn widespread criticism and is currently under investigation for alleged document forgery. Critics argue that replacing the historic site with luxury towers would erase a painful part of the nation's history.

Development Plans and Public Opposition

The proposed development, estimated to be worth approximately $500 million (€431 million), is part of a 99-year lease deal signed in 2024 between the Serbian government and Affinity Global Development. UAE-based property developer Eagle Hills is also a partner in the project. Some reports indicate the complex could include a 'Trump-branded hotel' and be known as 'Trump Tower Belgrade'.

Protesters, operating under the slogan 'We Are a Living Wall,' observed 17 minutes of silence during the demonstration, honoring the 16 victims of a recent railway station roof collapse in Novi Sad, as well as those killed in the 1999 NATO bombing. Opposition politicians have labeled the fast-tracked legislation as unconstitutional and accused the government of corruption.

Government Justification and Broader Context

President Vučić's government defends the project, asserting it will strengthen economic ties with the United States and attract significant foreign investment. The government has also stated that the development will include a memorial for the victims of the NATO bombing. However, the protests are also intertwined with a broader wave of anti-government demonstrations in Serbia, fueled by concerns over corruption and safety standards.