Greek court approves Plahotniuc extradition to Moldova
The former leader of the Democratic Party, Vladimir Plahotniuc, could be extradited to Moldova. The decision was made on Wednesday, August 13, by the Athens Court of Appeals, which considered the request from Moldovan prosecutors to extradite the oligarch to Chișinău.
However, a final decision on Plahotniuc's extradition will be made by the Greek Ministry of Justice.
The court hearing took place in the absence of Vladimir Plahotniuc, who was represented by several lawyers, including Lucian Rogac.
According to tv8.md, which attended the court session, employees of the Moldovan Embassy in the Hellenic Republic were also in the room.
Moldovan prosecutors also asked the Greek court to hand over all assets found on Plahotniuc to the Moldovan authorities. These assets included a Skoda Kodiaq car, over 155,000 euros in cash, laptops, phones, luxury watches, electronic storage devices, and documents. However, the Greek magistrates did not satisfy this request.
New details on the detention of Vladimir Plahotniuc and Constantin Țuțu. Greek authorities seized several false identity documents, money, and high-value objects.
Shortly after the Athens Court of Appeals' verdict, Vladimir Plahotniuc released an audio message claiming he wants to return to Moldova to "clear his name in Moldovan courts" and "continue his political career."
"My lawyers are making every effort to expedite my extradition to Moldova, and after today's court hearing in Athens on August 13, the ball is already in the court of the Chișinău authorities. Let's see if the Chișinău government sincerely wants my extradition or if they will do everything possible to delay it," Plahotniuc stated.
It is worth noting that Moldova's General Prosecutor's Office had previously sent two extradition requests for Plahotniuc to the Greek authorities: one on July 24 and another on August 8.
The Ministry of Justice in Chișinău also sent the Greek authorities a separate extradition request for Vladimir Plahotniuc on August 4.
"Particularly serious": Another extradition request for Vladimir Plahotniuc sent to Greece. Clarifications from the General Prosecutor's Office.
The oligarch was detained in Athens on July 22 and is currently being held in Greece’s largest prison.
Vladimir Plahotniuc, who has been a fugitive from Moldovan justice for six years, is the subject of four criminal cases, including for creating and leading a criminal organization, fraud, and money laundering.
The former Democratic leader faces a prison sentence of 8 to 15 years.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
