Albanian PM Edi Rama’s ties to Israeli businessman Ron Yafet spark corruption claims

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has been linked to Israeli entrepreneur Ron Yafet through a partnership with the state‑owned defence company KAYO. Yafet’s firm co‑owns a factory in Albania that produces armoured vehicles, fire‑engineers and ambulances for the Albanian armed forces and export markets in Africa and NATO member states. Opposition politicians allege the “KAYO project” is a corrupt scheme to transfer public assets to private hands, citing Yafet’s broader business interests in real‑estate and infrastructure.

The controversy intensified after a civil lawsuit was filed in a Florida court by U.S. businessman Mark Faist, who claims Yafet defrauded him by leveraging his relationship with Rama. Yafet denied the accusations, stating, “I have absolutely no connection with Air Albania.” The Albanian government rejected the allegations as baseless. The issue has fed into wider protests, called the “Flamingo Revolution,” which also target a $1.4 billion tourism development promoted by U.S. figure Jared Kushner.

Critics have accused the demonstrations of antisemitic motives, a charge Rama described as a “fantasy.” While no official investigation has been opened, the episode raises questions about the intersection of political leadership, foreign business ties and national security in Albania.