Greece Halts Extradition of Moldovan Businessman Vladimir Plahotniuc Amid Multiple Investigations

Greece has put on hold the extradition of Vladimir Plahotniuc, a former Moldovan politician and businessman wanted by authorities in Moldova in connection with one of the region's largest fraud cases, according to a Moldovan prosecutor and a Greek legal official on Wednesday.

A Greek court had previously approved Plahotniuc's extradition over allegations tied to a 2014 financial scandal often referred to as "theft of the century," which involves the disappearance of approximately $1 billion from Moldova's banking system — a sum equal to roughly 12% of the country’s GDP at that time. This ruling was scheduled to be executed shortly before Moldova's general election on September 28.

However, the Moldovan Prosecutor General's Office announced that the extradition process has been suspended without an official explanation, notifying Moldovan officials through Interpol.

Plahotniuc, 59, who has consistently denied any misconduct, faces a spectrum of accusations including participation in a criminal organization, money laundering, bribery, and fraud. Additionally, Russian authorities have sought his extradition on separate drug-related charges.

A Greek judicial source, speaking anonymously, revealed that the Greek Ministry of Justice suspended the extradition due to ongoing investigations involving Plahotniuc in Romania, where he is being probed for forgery. Moreover, Greek prosecutors have requested that Plahotniuc provide clarifications regarding this case.

Plahotniuc was detained on July 21 at Athens International Airport while attempting to board a flight to Dubai. The arrest followed an Interpol notice issued earlier in the year, which noted that he possessed multiple passports, including those from Romania, Mexico, and Russia.

Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean responded firmly on social media, emphasizing the importance of justice: "We – the citizens of this country – must ensure that everyone is brought to justice and that this process is not stopped. The institutions must bring him home in handcuffs." He also assured that the government would scrutinize the decision to suspend the extradition.

In recent statements, Plahotniuc labeled the charges against him as politically motivated, describing them as the product of "slander and political hatred."

Prior to fleeing Moldova, Plahotniuc served as leader of the Democratic Party from 2016 until 2019 and was part of the ruling coalition during that period. Moldova continues to pursue integration with the European Union, targeting membership by 2030.