Moldova: Oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc detained after Greece extradition
Moldovan authorities are finalising the paperwork for the detention of Vladimir Plahotniuc, based on the four arrest warrants previously issued in his name.
The statement was made by Marcel Dumbravan, the Chief Prosecutor of the Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office, shortly after Mr Plahotniuc was extradited to the Republic of Moldova and taken into custody by law enforcement at Chișinău International Airport, "Eugen Doga."
"The extradition of Mr Plahotniuc is very important for the Republic of Moldova. He is to be brought to justice for criminal cases under investigation and will appear in court for a case currently before the Buiucani Court of Justice," Mr Dumbravan said during a special edition broadcast on Moldova 1.
He said that after the detention report is drawn up, Mr Plahotniuc will be informed of the charges, and subsequently presented to the court for the validation of the warrants.
Concurrently, prosecutors are conducting financial investigations to recover assets and damages resulting from the crimes.
Alexandru Cernei, the prosecutor in charge of the case, said that Plahotniuc’s detention meant all four pre-trial detention warrants previously issued in his name had been executed.
"In accordance with the procedure, a detention report was prepared in the presence of his lawyer. He was informed of the grounds and reasons for his detention. He has been sent to Penitentiary No. 13," the prosecutor specified.
He mentioned that the 30-day pre-trial detention period begins from the moment of his detention.
On the other hand, Mr Plahotniuc’s lawyer, Lucian Rogac, criticised the way the extradition procedure was organised.
"The process was frustrated at every stage by the authorities of the Republic of Moldova, and from the beginning, the goal was for the extradition to take place right before the parliamentary elections to be turned into an electoral show. The General Police Inspectorate staged a political spectacle in poor taste ahead of the September 28 poll," Mr Rogac said on Moldova 1.
The aircraft carrying the former democratic leader, who was extradited from Greece, landed in Chișinău on Thursday morning, September 25. The oligarch was escorted to the Republic of Moldova more than six years and three months after his flight from the country.
The airport runway was secured by numerous police teams, and the moment was watched by dozens of journalists and broadcast live on Moldova 1, as part of a special edition.
Mr Plahotniuc, who was hiding his face under a black cap, was immediately taken into custody by law enforcement, escorted by police officers, "Fulger" troops (a special police unit), and Interpol representatives, before being taken directly to Penitentiary No. 13.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
