Statement: Moscow’s “ fellow thieves” seek to “help” Plahotniuc by requesting his extradition to Russia
Prosecutors and judges in the Republic of Moldova will no longer have an excuse to delay cases involving oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc now after his extradition to Moldova, according to President Maia Sandu. She believes that the extradition request submitted by Moscow concerning Plahotniuc—who was detained in Greece on July 22—is a maneuver by his "fellow thieves" to assist him.
Maia Sandu suggests that the Greek authorities likely monitored Vlad Plahotniuc for several months prior to his arrest, indicating that it was probably not a coincidence. She expressed hope that he would be extradited to the Republic of Moldova to face justice.
"I don't think he wanted to be in prison. (...) Plahotniuc's arrest is good news after six years of searches and attempts to find him. I can't share everything I think about the situation, as his lawyers may use my statements to impede his extradition and subsequent court proceedings. However, I believe it is safe to say that justice must be served," Sandu stated in an interview with NewsMaker journalists.
The president did not specify a timeline for the oligarch's extradition, emphasizing that "the documents submitted by Moldovan courts, along with how clearly and convincingly everything is explained, will be very important." She noted that Plahotniuc's "friends" in Moscow would also try to help him evade arrest.
"It is evident that his team will attempt to spread various narratives, and his friend in Moscow is already making efforts on his behalf. I am confident that the request for extradition from Moscow also originates from this ally. It is apparent that fellow criminals are trying to assist each other," the president remarked.
Sandu urged the judiciary to expedite the investigation into the "billion-dollar theft."
"I am certain that our institutions will do everything possible to ensure that the extradition occurs, and, on the other hand, the Moldovan justice system should no longer have any reason to delay cases indefinitely. Justice must be served after a decade of investigating the theft of the billion. I reviewed the history of these investigations today, and although the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office and some prosecutors claim they have been investigating the theft for a long time, it was only in 2019 that a criminal case targeting Plahotniuc was opened, even though the bank theft began to be investigated much earlier. (...) There are many unanswered questions that we need to clarify with those responsible in the Prosecutor's Office and in the courts. I reiterate, all efforts must be made to ensure his extradition, and those responsible in the prosecutor's office and the judiciary should no longer have any excuses," Maia Sandu emphasized.
We remind you that that after fleeing the Republic of Moldova in June 2019, oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc and former Democratic MP Constantin Țuțu were arrested at Athens Airport on July 22, 2025, while attempting to board a flight to Dubai. Plahotniuc and Țuțu are currently held in the largest prison in Greece and face pre-trial detention for 40 days.
Vladimir Plahotniuc has officially agreed to be extradited to the Republic of Moldova. His consent was communicated to the Greek authorities on Tuesday, July 29, in the form of a letter from his lawyer in Greece.
Experts believe that the request for his extradition to the Republic of Moldova could expedite the timeline for Plahotniuc's appearance before Moldovan courts.
In the Republic of Moldova, Plahotniuc is under investigation in four criminal cases, including charges related to creating an organized criminal group, large-scale money laundering, fraud, and involvement in the "bank fraud" that occurred from 2013 to 2015.
