A Moldovan oligarch and former senior politician has been extradited from Greece accused of involvement in the theft of $1 billion (£748m). Vladimir Plahotniuc, 59, was flown from Athens to Chisinau on Thursday morning and then taken to a detention centre in Moldova's capital, local officials said. The tycoon, who faces several long-running criminal cases in Moldova, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and has vowed to prove his innocence.
His extradition comes days before Sunday's parliamentary elections, with President Maia Sandu warning that Moldova's independence and European future are in danger because of attempts by Russia to foment violence and spread disinformation.
Vladimir Plahotniuc fled Moldova in 2019 when his Democratic Party was voted out of power. On Thursday morning, he was seen being escorted from the plane he arrived in by Moldovan police and Interpol officials. He was then put in a car and driven away from the airport.
In a post on social media, President Sandu wrote: If you don't give up when it's hard and keep fighting - the whole society keeps fighting - even criminals who seemed invincible come to justice.
His lawyer, Lucian Rogac, accused Sandu's pro-EU government of turning his client's extradition into a tasteless political spectacle ahead of the key elections. The lawyer also reported that his client's fundamental rights were violated during the extradition process, which started on 22 July with his arrest at Athens' airport at Moldova's request.
Plahotniuc is one of the main suspects in the disappearance of $1 billion from three Moldovan banks in 2014 - a case now referred to as the theft of the century. At the time, the amount represented over 10% of Moldova's gross domestic product.
His extradition comes as Moldova prepares for elections that will determine whether the country continues its integration with the EU or shifts back into Russia's political influence. President Sandu recently accused Moscow of attempting to destabilize the country by funding disinformation campaigns. The region remains tense as pro-Russian factions persist in undermining the ruling party's initiatives.
His extradition comes days before Sunday's parliamentary elections, with President Maia Sandu warning that Moldova's independence and European future are in danger because of attempts by Russia to foment violence and spread disinformation.
Vladimir Plahotniuc fled Moldova in 2019 when his Democratic Party was voted out of power. On Thursday morning, he was seen being escorted from the plane he arrived in by Moldovan police and Interpol officials. He was then put in a car and driven away from the airport.
In a post on social media, President Sandu wrote: If you don't give up when it's hard and keep fighting - the whole society keeps fighting - even criminals who seemed invincible come to justice.
His lawyer, Lucian Rogac, accused Sandu's pro-EU government of turning his client's extradition into a tasteless political spectacle ahead of the key elections. The lawyer also reported that his client's fundamental rights were violated during the extradition process, which started on 22 July with his arrest at Athens' airport at Moldova's request.
Plahotniuc is one of the main suspects in the disappearance of $1 billion from three Moldovan banks in 2014 - a case now referred to as the theft of the century. At the time, the amount represented over 10% of Moldova's gross domestic product.
His extradition comes as Moldova prepares for elections that will determine whether the country continues its integration with the EU or shifts back into Russia's political influence. President Sandu recently accused Moscow of attempting to destabilize the country by funding disinformation campaigns. The region remains tense as pro-Russian factions persist in undermining the ruling party's initiatives.
