Greece will extradite former Moldovan politician and businessman Vladimir Plahotniuc on Thursday to face charges over the disappearance of $1 billion from Moldova’s banking system, officials said. The move comes just days ahead of national elections in Moldova.
A Greek court approved the extradition in August, but the justice ministry temporarily paused the decision, frustrating Moldova’s pro-European government. Chisinau has vowed to fight corruption while accusing Moscow of meddling in the upcoming vote.
Moldova’s biggest financial scandal
Plahotniuc, 59, is the chief suspect in the 2014 case dubbed the “theft of the century,” when $1 billion vanished from Moldova’s banks — an amount equal to around 12% of the country’s GDP at the time.
He fled Moldova in 2019 after serving as leader of the Democratic Party and deputy speaker of parliament. Known as one of the country’s most influential figures, he has denied any wrongdoing, calling the charges “slander and political hatred.”
Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean said earlier this month that institutions “must bring him home in handcuffs,” dismissing speculation Plahotniuc might wait out the election in hopes of a friendlier political climate.
Greek arrest and international pursuit
Greek police arrested Plahotniuc at Athens airport while he was boarding a flight to Dubai. Acting on an Interpol notice, they discovered he had traveled to 22 countries since 2023 and held 16 different passports, including those from Romania, Mexico, and Russia.
Documents reviewed by Reuters show Greece’s justice ministry approved his extradition late last week. A Greek legal source confirmed he is expected to depart Thursday morning.
International dimensions
The European Union imposed sanctions on Plahotniuc in 2023, accusing him and six others of undermining Moldova’s stability and Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Russia has also requested his extradition on separate drug-related charges but denies interfering in Moldova’s politics.
The Moldovan government confirmed his expected arrival on Thursday.
