Latest news with #VladimirPlahotniuc
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
Moldova seeks extradition of business magnate Plahotniuc held in Greece
Leader of the Democratic Party of Moldova Vladimir Plahotniuc delivers a speech during a rally demanding a creation of parliament coalition, in Chisinau, Moldova June 9, 2019. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko/File Photo CHISINAU (Reuters) -Moldovan authorities said on Thursday they launched extradition proceedings for Moldovan business magnate Vladimir Plahotniuc, detained in Greece on a warrant related to a fraud case over the disappearance of $1 billion from banks in the ex-Soviet state. Plahotniuc, former leader of a small political party, was arrested on Tuesday at the Athens airport while on his way to Dubai. He has denied wrongdoing. An Interpol red notice was issued against him based on accusations that include participation in a criminal organisation, money laundering and fraud. He is accused in connection with the disappearance of $1 billion from Moldovan banks in 2014 known as the "theft of the century." The sum equalled 12% of Moldova's gross domestic product at the time. "The prosecutor's office expresses its conviction that ... Greek authorities will agree to the request for the purpose of bringing to account the person being sought," Moldova's general prosecutor's office said. Moldovan media said this week that Russia was also seeking Plahotniuc's extradition in connection with drugs offences. Viorel Cernauteanu, head of Moldova's general police inspectorate, said the Moldovan request would get priority treatment as Chisinau had actively sought his arrest. Plahotniuc was expected to appear before a Greek prosecutor on Friday. Since 2023, Plahotniuc has lived in 22 countries, changing residence regularly to avoid detection, Greek police said. A police investigation found that Plahotniuc was living with his partner in a luxurious villa in the Athens suburbs. Plahotniuc, 59, was the leader of the Democratic party from 2016-2019, part of the governing coalition at the time, and served as deputy speaker of parliament. While in office, he wielded great influence over the police, judiciary and courts. The scandal around the fraud case has had long-lasting reverberations. Moldova's central bank chief was removed in 2023 after failed attempts to recover the lost money. In 2023, the European Union imposed sanctions on seven people from Moldova, including Plahotniuc, for actions that it said destabilised and undermined the territorial integrity of Moldova and neighbouring Ukraine. (Reporting by Alexander Tanas, Additional reporting by Renee Maltezou in Athens, Writing by Ron Popeski; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
Straits Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Moldova seeks extradition of business magnate Plahotniuc held in Greece
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Leader of the Democratic Party of Moldova Vladimir Plahotniuc delivers a speech during a rally demanding a creation of parliament coalition, in Chisinau, Moldova June 9, 2019. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko/File Photo CHISINAU - Moldovan authorities said on Thursday they launched extradition proceedings for Moldovan business magnate Vladimir Plahotniuc, detained in Greece on a warrant related to a fraud case over the disappearance of $1 billion from banks in the ex-Soviet state. Plahotniuc, former leader of a small political party, was arrested on Tuesday at the Athens airport while on his way to Dubai. He has denied wrongdoing. An Interpol red notice was issued against him based on accusations that include participation in a criminal organisation, money laundering and fraud. He is accused in connection with the disappearance of $1 billion from Moldovan banks in 2014 known as the "theft of the century." The sum equalled 12% of Moldova's gross domestic product at the time. "The prosecutor's office expresses its conviction that ... Greek authorities will agree to the request for the purpose of bringing to account the person being sought," Moldova's general prosecutor's office said. Moldovan media said this week that Russia was also seeking Plahotniuc's extradition in connection with drugs offences. Viorel Cernauteanu, head of Moldova's general police inspectorate, said the Moldovan request would get priority treatment as Chisinau had actively sought his arrest. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia 11 Thai civilians killed as Thai and Cambodian militaries clash at disputed border: Reports Asia Singapore urges all parties in Thailand-Cambodia border dispute to exercise restraint Asia Deadly Thai-Cambodian dispute puts Asean's relevance on the line Life Hulk Hogan, who helped turn pro wrestling into a billion-dollar spectacle, dies at 71 Singapore Avoid water activities around Tuas Second Link, Raffles Marina after chemical tank accident: NEA Singapore Khatib Camp to make way for housing, with its functions moving to Amoy Quee Camp Singapore Mindef to set up new volunteer management unit to grow volunteer pool Singapore Primary 1 registration: 29 schools to conduct ballot in Phase 2B Plahotniuc was expected to appear before a Greek prosecutor on Friday. Since 2023, Plahotniuc has lived in 22 countries, changing residence regularly to avoid detection, Greek police said. A police investigation found that Plahotniuc was living with his partner in a luxurious villa in the Athens suburbs. Plahotniuc, 59, was the leader of the Democratic party from 2016-2019, part of the governing coalition at the time, and served as deputy speaker of parliament. While in office, he wielded great influence over the police, judiciary and courts. The scandal around the fraud case has had long-lasting reverberations. Moldova's central bank chief was removed in 2023 after failed attempts to recover the lost money. In 2023, the European Union imposed sanctions on seven people from Moldova, including Plahotniuc, for actions that it said destabilised and undermined the territorial integrity of Moldova and neighbouring Ukraine. REUTERS
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Greek police arrest Moldovan tycoon Plahotniuc on Interpol notice
FILE PHOTO: Leader of the Democratic Party of Moldova Vladimir Plahotniuc delivers a speech during a rally demanding a creation of parliament coalition, in Chisinau, Moldova June 9, 2019. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko/File Photo ATHENS - Greek police have arrested a Moldovan tycoon and a former political leader wanted for allegedly participating in a criminal organisation, money laundering and fraud, police said on Tuesday. Vladimir Plahotniuc, considered one of Moldova's richest men and a former lawmaker, was arrested at the Athens airport on an Interpol notice on Monday evening. He has been accused in connection with a $1 billion fraud against Moldovan banks in 2014-2015, a case known locally as the "theft of the century". He has denied wrongdoing. Police also arrested former Moldovan lawmaker Constantin Tutu, 38, who is wanted by Russia for allegedly trafficking drugs internationally, police officials said. Both suspects had an Interpol red notice issued against them. Moldova's General Inspectorate of Police confirmed that Plahotniuc, who was the leader of the Democratic party from 2016-2019, and Tutu had been arrested. Plahotniuc, 59, is suspected to have fled Moldova in 2019. Following a tip-off, Greek police launched an investigation which found that Plahotniuc was living with his partner in a luxurious villa in the southern suburbs of Athens. Tutu also lived in the same residence, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the confidentiality of the probe. In 2023, the European Union imposed sanctions on seven people from Moldova, including Plahotniuc, for actions that it said destabilised and undermined the territorial integrity of Moldova and neighbouring Ukraine. Since 2023, Plahotniuc has lived in 22 countries, changing residence regularly to avoid detection, the Greek police officials said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Two found dead after fire in Toa Payoh flat Singapore Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 can claim $600 SG60 vouchers from July 22 Singapore Singaporeans continue to hold world's most powerful passport in latest ranking Singapore Singapore, Vietnam agree to step up defence ties, dialogue between leaders Asia Malaysia govt's reform pledge tested as DAP chief bows over unresolved 2009 death of political aide Tech Singapore to increase pool of early adopters in AI to complement data scientists, engineers Singapore Prosecution says judge who acquitted duo of bribing ex-LTA official had copied defence arguments Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving The two men, carrying only backpacks, were arrested at the Athens airport after boarding a flight to Dubai. They will appear before a prosecutor on Wednesday to respond to charges. Moldova is expected to request his extradition, the country's General Prosecutor's office said. REUTERS
Arab News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Fugitive Moldovan oligarch implicated in $1 billion bank fraud detained in Greece
CHISINAU: A fugitive Moldovan oligarch implicated in a $1 billion bank fraud and other illicit schemes was detained Tuesday in Greece, Moldova's national police said. Vladimir Plahotniuc fled Moldova in 2019 as he faced a series of corruption charges including allegations of complicity in a scheme that led to $1 billion disappearing from a Moldovan bank in 2014, which at the time was equivalent to about an eighth of Moldova's annual GDP. Plahotniuc has denied any wrongdoing. Moldovan police said in a statement they were informed by Interpol's office in Athens that two Moldovan citizens had been detained, including Plahotniuc, who was placed on Interpol's international wanted list in February. Authorities did not name the other detainee. The Greek police unit tackling organized crime said Interpol was seeking Plahotniuc on suspicion of participating in a criminal organization, fraud and money laundering. Moldova's Ministry of Justice and Prosecutor's Office are in the process of exchanging information to begin seeking extradition of Plahotniuc and the other detainee, a government official told The Associated Press. Plahotniuc, one of Moldova's wealthiest men, fled to the US from Moldova in June 2019 after failing to form a government with his Democratic Party. The US declared him persona non grata in 2020 and his whereabouts were unknown for years. The powerful businessman and politician was added to a US State Department sanctions list in 2022 for alleged corruption. The charges included controlling the country's law enforcement to target political and business rivals and meddling in Moldova's elections. He was added to a UK sanctions list in 2022 and barred from entering the country. His assets were frozen in the UK and its overseas territories.
San Francisco Chronicle
3 days ago
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Fugitive Moldovan oligarch implicated in $1 billion bank fraud detained in Greece
CHISINAU, Moldova (AP) — A fugitive Moldovan oligarch implicated in a $1 billion bank fraud and other illicit schemes was detained Tuesday in Greece, Moldova's national police said. Vladimir Plahotniuc fled Moldova in 2019 as he faced a series of corruption charges including allegations of complicity in a scheme that led to $1 billion disappearing from a Moldovan bank in 2014, which at the time was equivalent to about an eighth of Moldova's annual GDP. Plahotniuc has denied any wrongdoing. Moldovan police said in a statement they were informed by Interpol's office in Athens that two Moldovan citizens had been detained, including Plahotniuc, who was placed on Interpol's international wanted list in February. Authorities did not name the other detainee. The Greek police unit tackling organized crime said Interpol was seeking Plahotniuc on suspicion of participating in a criminal organization, fraud and money laundering. Moldova's Ministry of Justice and Prosecutor's Office are in the process of exchanging information to begin seeking extradition of Plahotniuc and the other detainee, a government official told The Associated Press. Plahotniuc, one of Moldova's wealthiest men, fled to the U.S. from Moldova in June 2019 after failing to form a government with his Democratic Party. The U.S. declared him persona non grata in 2020 and his whereabouts were unknown for years. The powerful businessman and politician was added to a U.S. State Department sanctions list in 2022 for alleged corruption. The charges included controlling the country's law enforcement to target political and business rivals and meddling in Moldova's elections. He was added to a U.K. sanctions list in 2022 and barred from entering the country. His assets were frozen in the U.K. and its overseas territories.
