Vladimir Plahotniuc misses court again
Former Democratic Party leader Vladimir Plahotniuc continues to refuse to attend court hearings. He did not appear on Wednesday, October 8, at the Chisinau Court based in Buiucani, where the examination of the "bank fraud" case resumed. According to the judges, the court received a notice of refusal and a request signed by Plahotniuc, stating that he requested not to be escorted to the hearing on October 8 because he needed time to familiarize himself with the case materials.
The judges decided to grant the defendant and the defense additional time to examine the materials of the criminal case. The next hearing is scheduled for October 20.
Asked why Vladimir Plahotniuc did not appear in court, the public defender, Victoria Burduja, stated that he had exercised his right to refuse to appear.
"He refuses to appear, it is a right that he has exercised," said Burduja.
Regarding the procedure by which Plahotniuc will become acquainted with the materials of the case file, the lawyer explained that a special escort order was issued in court.
The defendant's other lawyer, Ion Vîzdoagă, refused to make statements to the press.
In turn, prosecutor Vitalie Codreanu explained that the next hearings will begin directly with the judicial investigation.
“A conclusion was issued because the case was previously connected to another criminal case. Considering that the case was examined on the merits, according to Article 31, the law provides that a preliminary hearing is no longer necessary,” Codreanu said.
What do “judicial investigation” and “examination on the merits” mean
“Judicial investigation” is the stage of the criminal trial in which the court analyzes evidence, hears witnesses and examines the facts in order to establish the guilt or innocence of the defendant. “Examination on the merits” refers to the actual trial of the case, after the preliminary procedural stages were completed.
In the case of Vladimir Plahotniuc, this means that the court will be able to proceed directly to the analysis of the accusations and statements in the “bank fraud” file.
We remind you that Vladimir Plahotniuc will be tried separately in this case. The decision to separate the cases was taken on September 29 by the magistrates of the same court, at the request of the prosecutors.
The former democratic leader was extradited from Greece on September 25, 2025, more than six years after he escaped from the Republic of Moldova. He was taken from the "Eugen Doga" International Airport - Chisinau and escorted by several police teams to Penitentiary No. 13.
Vladimir Plahotniuc is targeted in several cases, being accused of establishing and leading an organized criminal group, money laundering and fraud.
Since his extradition, all court hearings have taken place in his absence, as he has refused to participate, including via video conference.
