Albanian police have launched an investigation into what they describe as a coordinated online campaign to damage the reputation of hotels, restaurants and other tourism businesses through thousands of negative reviews, as anti-government protests continue to spread across the country.

Police said they had identified more than 10,000 social media accounts displaying suspicious activity after a wave of one-star ratings and negative comments appeared on review platforms targeting businesses in several Albanian cities.

The investigation comes after weeks of demonstrations against Prime Minister Edi Rama's government that began as environmental protests but have since broadened into a wider movement against corruption, governance and the political establishment.

At a press conference on July 9, State Police Director General Skender Hita said investigators believed the online activity appeared to have been coordinated, although the investigation remained ongoing.

"Over the past few days, our cybercrime structures have identified a suspected coordinated activity on online platforms, which consists of the massive publication of negative reviews and comments against hotels, restaurants and other entities operating in the tourism sector in Albania," Hita said.

"From the first verification actions, the management of reports and the analysis of data obtained up to this stage, there are indications of the existence of a network of accounts that have operated in a synchronised manner on international platforms for rating hotels, restaurants, resorts and tourist destinations."

He said police were examining "over 10,000 accounts on social networks with suspicious activity patterns”, adding that investigators had identified cases where the same accounts had posted negative reviews about businesses across multiple cities within a short period.

"Time synchronisation, similarity of content, and the method of distribution of the activity constitute key indicators that are being analysed by the investigative group to determine whether we are dealing with an organised activity," Hita said.

He added that if the activity was proven to be deliberate, it could harm businesses, consumer confidence and Albania's tourism industry.

"Tourism is a strategic sector of the national economy and an important asset of our country's international image," Hita said. "Any organised attempt to manipulate public perception, to harm Albanian businesses or to violate the country's economic interest will be treated with maximum priority by the State Police."

He warned that "any person found involved in this illegal activity, regardless of their location, will face the full force of the law."

Police did not directly link the alleged campaign to the protest movement. However, Albanian media have reported that calls circulated on Reddit and other social media platforms encouraging supporters of the demonstrations to leave negative online reviews for businesses perceived as being close to the government.

According to local media reports, discussions first appeared on online forums urging people to boycott businesses associated with government supporters before evolving into coordinated efforts to post one-star ratings on Google Reviews and other platforms.

Among the businesses affected was Rozafa Fish City, a well-known seafood restaurant owned by businessman Gjergj Luca, who has publicly criticised the protest movement.

Responding to the alleged online campaign on Facebook on July 8, Luca wrote: "Once upon a time, your ancestors would put people in prison with anonymous letters, while you, their descendants, with fake profiles and insults on social networks, only tickle our businesses. Rozafa was, is and will remain even when you are old from insults!"

The Flamingo Revolution protests began at the end of May near the village of Zvërnec after environmental activists attempted to block construction linked to a planned luxury tourism development near the Vjosa-Narta wetlands. The protected coastal area is one of the Mediterranean's most important ecosystems and is home to hundreds of bird species, including flamingos, which have become the symbol of the protest movement.

The development has been linked to US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner through investment firm Affinity Partners. Albanian officials have defended the project as an important investment that will boost tourism and economic growth.

Since clashes between protesters and private security guards at the construction site, demonstrations have spread to Tirana, Vlora, Durres, Korca and other cities, with thousands gathering nightly outside the prime minister's office demanding Rama's resignation and calling for a technical government.

The dispute has attracted international attention as Albania continues negotiations to join the European Union. Environmental organisations and several members of the European Parliament have argued that development within the Vjosa-Narta Protected Landscape could undermine environmental protections that form part of the EU accession process under Chapter 27 covering climate and environmental policy.