Greece Extradites Oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc to Moldova Amid $1 Billion Fraud Case

Fri Oct 17 2025 04:03:36 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Vladimir Plahotniuc, a former Moldovan politician, has been extradited from Greece and faces allegations of involvement in a $1 billion fraud scheme, coinciding with critical parliamentary elections in Moldova.

Vladimir Plahotniuc, a former Moldovan oligarch and politician, was extradited from Greece to Moldova, where he faces accusations related to a $1 billion fraud case. His return comes just days before parliamentary elections amidst rising tensions fueled by external influences, particularly from Russia. Plahotniuc, who maintains his innocence, is at the center of a significant political and legal controversy in Moldova, reflective of broader geopolitical struggles in the region.

A Moldovan oligarch and former senior politician has been extradited from Greece accused of involvement in the theft of $1bn (£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.

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.

Plahotniuc is one of the main suspects in the disappearance of $1bn from three Moldovan banks in 2014 - a case known as the theft of the century. This sum was reportedly worth more than 10% of Moldova's gross domestic product.

The extradition comes as the impoverished country between Romania and Ukraine prepares for elections that will determine whether Moldova continues its integration with the EU or returns to Russia's political influence.

Earlier this week, Sandu accused Moscow of pouring hundreds of millions of euros into Moldova in a bid to stoke violence and spread disinformation and fear.

Meanwhile, Moldova's pro-Russian parties have accused Sandu of trying to intimidate them - and sway the vote.

As tensions mount, external influences in the region continue to pose challenges for Moldova's political landscape.