Moldovan business magnate Vladimir Plahotniuc has been extradited from Greece to Moldova, where he faces charges linked to the disappearance of $1 billion from the country’s banking system in 2013.
Local outlet NewsMaker.md broadcast live images from Chisinau airport on Thursday, showing the former lawmaker being escorted in handcuffs by men in dark uniforms and placed into a waiting vehicle.
Plahotniuc, widely regarded as one of Moldova’s wealthiest figures, is accused of playing a central role in the scandal dubbed the nation’s “theft of the century”, in which funds equivalent to 12% of Moldova’s GDP at the time vanished. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
The 58-year-old was detained on 21 July at Athens airport while attempting to board a flight to Dubai. Greek authorities acted on an Interpol red notice issued earlier this year, which detailed that he possessed as many as 16 passports from countries including Romania, Mexico and Russia.
His return to Moldova comes just days before a pivotal parliamentary election, with the ruling pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) under pressure amid voter frustration over economic hardship and perceived slow progress in tackling corruption.
Source: Reuters
