Vladimir Plahotniuc is set to be extradited to Chișinău on September 25, his lawyer
Former Democratic leader Vladimir Plahotniuc is reportedly set to be extradited to Moldova on September 25, according to his lawyer, Lucian Rogac. Moldovan authorities have not yet made any official announcement regarding bringing the oligarch to Chișinău to face trial.
Plahotniuc’s lawyer cites information from Greek authorities
Vladimir Plahotniuc’s lawyer, Lucian Rogac, referred to updates received by his colleagues in Greece from local authorities.
“Based on the latest information my colleagues in Greece have received from Greek authorities, I want to announce that the extradition process will take place on 25.09.2025,” Rogac wrote on his Facebook page.
In the same post, the oligarch’s lawyer, who was incarcerated in Greece two months ago, asked Moldovan authorities not to turn Plahotniuc’s extradition into “a public show.”
Representatives of the General Police Inspectorate and the General Prosecutor’s Office have not responded to Teleradio-Moldova’s requests to confirm or deny Rogac’s statements.
Earlier, Interior Minister Daniella Misail-Nichitin said Plahotniuc’s extradition was scheduled for September 25, depending on the availability of airlines to ensure the operation could be carried out properly.
Eduard Serbenco, State Secretary at the Ministry of Justice, recently stated on Radio Moldova that upon arrival in Moldova, Plahotniuc will be placed in a separate cell at Penitentiary No. 13 in Chișinău.
The decision to extradite Plahotniuc to Chișinău, based on three requests from Moldovan authorities, was cleared last week by the Greek Ministry of Justice after being suspended for two days.
Multiple criminal cases are pending against Plahotniuc in Moldova. He fled the country in June 2019 after the Democratic Party lost power.
In a case stemming from the so-called “bank fraud”, Plahotniuc is accused of creating and leading a criminal organization, fraud, and money laundering, allegedly benefiting from nearly $39.3 million and over €3.5 million stolen from Banca de Economii, Unibank, and Banca Socială.
For these crimes, he faces up to 15 years in prison.
Over the past year, Plahotniuc reportedly travelled multiple times to Russia using false documents despite being under international arrest. Media reports suggest Kremlin officials may have attempted to involve him in Moldova’s parliamentary elections, acting in Russia’s interests.
