Moldovan business magnate Vladimir Plahotniuc, detained in Greece on a warrant linked to a $1 billion fraud case, landed in Moldova's capital, Chisinau, after being extradited, local media said on Thursday, APA reports, citing TVP World.
Plahotniuc, a former lawmaker and considered one of Moldova's richest men, is one of the chief suspects in Moldova's so-called "theft of the century", the disappearance in 2013 of $1 billion from the Moldovan banking system: the equivalent at the time of 12% of the ex-Soviet state's GDP.
Before fleeing Moldova in 2019, he was the leader of the Democratic Party, part of the governing coalition in 2016-2019, and served as deputy speaker of parliament. While in office, he wielded great influence over institutions.
In 2023, the EU imposed sanctions on Plahotniuc and six others for actions that it said destabilised and undermined the territorial integrity of Moldova and fellow ex-Soviet state Ukraine.
According to Greek police, Plahotniuc, 59, has lived in 22 countries since 2023. They arrested him at Athens airport after he had boarded a plane to Dubai, acting on an Interpol notice which states that he held 16 passports, including those from Romania, Mexico, and Russia.
Plahotniuc has denied any wrongdoing, saying allegations against him were based on "slander and political hatred."
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