Criminal case in Bucharest after Greek police found six alleged Romanian documents on Vladimir Plahotniuc
The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI) in Bucharest announced the opening of a criminal case in Romania regarding false documents associated with Vladimir Plahotniuc, the former democratic leader from Chisinau. Plahotniuc was arrested in Greece on July 22.
The MAI (Ministry of Internal Affairs) reported that it received six identity documents found with Vladimir Plahotniuc from Greek authorities. After verification, it was determined that only one of the documents, a Romanian state-issued passport in his true name, was authentic. This passport was reportedly issued before a ban was placed on it.
Regarding the other five documents—two identity cards, two driving licenses, and one passport—there are "reasonable suspicions" that they are counterfeit.
According to a press release from the MAI in Bucharest, "Following the exchange of data and information carried out through the International Police Cooperation Center within the Romanian Police, the Greek authorities sent copies of six identity documents in the possession of the individual in question. After conducting checks at the MAI structures, reasonable suspicions arose regarding the possible forgery of official documents—two identity cards, two driving licenses, and a passport—due to mechanical overwriting that distorted the holders' identities. This alteration of the documents constitutes unauthorized modification of identification elements, which may fulfill the criteria for material forgery in official documents and the use of forgery."
The Ministry of Interior stated that a criminal case has been opened by the Criminal Investigations Directorate of the Romanian Police for forgery of official documents and the use of forgery.
It is important to note that Vladimir Plahotniuc and former MP Constantin Țuțu were detained on July 22 at the "Eleftherios Venizelos" International Airport in Athens while attempting to board a flight to Dubai. They were wanted by Interpol; Plahotniuc at the request of the Republic of Moldova, and Țuțu at the request of the Russian Federation.
During the search, authorities found at least 21 identity documents issued by seven different countries: the Republic of Moldova, Romania, Ukraine, the Russian Federation, Bulgaria, Vanuatu, and Iraq.
For Vladimir Plahotniuc, the documents include four identity cards issued under different names by Vanuatu, Romania (two cards with different photos, both issued on March 19, 2025, under the name Antohe Mihai), and Bulgaria. Additionally, six driving licenses were issued in false names from Romania (one issued on May 7, 2025, and another on February 10, 2020, both under the name Antohe Mihai), Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, the Russian Federation, and Bulgaria. Furthermore, 11 passports in various names were found, issued by Vanuatu, Iraq, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Moldova, Romania (two issued in 2020 and 2022 in the names of Plahotniuc Vladimir and Antohe Mihai), Ukraine, Bulgaria, and the Republic of Moldova.
In total, Plahotniuc is linked to at least five false identities, each supported by documents from multiple countries. In some instances, the same name appeared on different documents but with varying photos, dates of birth, and nationalities.
The Republic of Moldova requested the extradition of Vladimir Plahotniuc, who faces charges in four cases involving the formation of an organized criminal group, large-scale money laundering, and fraud, including his involvement in the so-called "billion dollar theft," which happened between 2013 and 2015. Following his detention in Greece, the Russian Federation also submitted an extradition request to Greek authorities, citing two criminal cases against Plahotniuc.
Both Vladimir Plahotniuc and Constantin Țuțu received pre-trial detention orders for a duration of 40 days and are currently being held in Korydallos, the largest prison in Greece.
