In a significant development, Vladimir Plahotniuc, a 59-year-old Moldovan oligarch and former high-ranking politician, has been extradited from Greece to Moldova. He arrived in the Moldovan capital, Chisinau, on Thursday morning and was immediately taken to a detention center. Plahotniuc is facing multiple long-standing criminal charges in Moldova, including his alleged involvement in the disappearance of $1 billion from three Moldovan banks in 2014, a scandal widely known as the “theft of the century.” At the time, this sum represented over 10% of Moldova’s gross domestic product.
Plahotniuc, who fled Moldova in 2019 after his Democratic Party lost power, has consistently denied all allegations against him and expressed his determination to prove his innocence. His extradition follows his arrest in Athens on July 22nd at Moldova’s request. His lawyer has criticized the Moldovan government’s handling of the extradition, describing it as a “tasteless political spectacle” timed just days before the upcoming parliamentary elections.
The extradition occurs as Moldova, a nation situated between Romania and Ukraine, prepares for pivotal elections on September 28th. These elections are seen as crucial for determining the country’s future political orientation, specifically whether it will continue its path towards integration with the European Union or potentially revert to closer ties with Russia. President Maia Sandu has voiced concerns about external interference, accusing Moscow of attempting to destabilize Moldova by fomenting violence and spreading disinformation ahead of the vote.
Recent investigations by the BBC have uncovered evidence of a disinformation network with suspected links to Moscow and fugitive Moldovan businessman Ilan Shor. This network has reportedly been engaged in spreading false narratives online to undermine the current government. President Sandu has strongly condemned these efforts, stating that Moldova’s independence and European future are at risk.
The political climate in Moldova is tense, with pro-Russian parties accusing President Sandu of political intimidation and questioning her government’s efforts to combat corruption. Meanwhile, Russian intelligence agencies have alleged that European countries are planning to falsify election results and provoke protests. These claims have been refuted by Moldovan and European officials.
The situation in Moldova is closely watched internationally, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasizing the geopolitical importance of Moldova’s stability and its pro-European trajectory, drawing parallels to recent events in Georgia and Belarus.