Ex-Moldovan politician Plahotniuc to be extradited from Greece
The Ministry of Justice in Moldova has confirmed it has received an extradition order from Greece for former politician Vladimir Plahotniuc.
The order was issued in response to requests from Moldovan authorities and was sent through Interpol's office in the Moldovan capital, Chisinau.
A statement from the ministry said the necessary documents had been forwarded to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which is responsible for taking custody of him. The ministry is now working to transfer him from Greek custody, the source added.
The Justice Ministry noted that extradition proceedings began quickly after Mr Plahotniuc was detained in Greece on July 22. This was done under the European Convention on Extradition.
The first extradition request was sent to Greek authorities on July 24 by the General Prosecutor's Office, followed by the Justice Ministry on August 4. A third request was sent on August 8. The statement concluded that the process of confirming the requests had been "finalised".
Plahotniuc is due to be extradited on September 25, 2025. This was confirmed by Interior Minister Daniella Misail-Nichitin after a government meeting on Wednesday.
In Moldova, he faces four criminal charges, including creating an organised crime group, large-scale money laundering, fraud and his alleged role in the country's major bank fraud scandal. He could face a prison sentence of between eight and 15 years.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
