Greece halts Plahotniuc extradition: Moldova PM promises investigation
Greece has suspended the extradition of Moldovan oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc, authorities in Chișinău have confirmed.
The Greek Ministry of Justice decided to halt the process on 17 September but has not made the reasons public.
According to prosecutors, Moldovan authorities have been trying to extradite Mr Plahotniuc since his detention in Greece on 22 July 2025, to face criminal charges for alleged crimes.
Greek authorities had previously approved the extradition based on three separate requests from Moldova and he was expected to be handed over by the end of the month.
"He was expected to be handed over to Moldovan authorities in the coming days," a statement from the prosecutor's office said. "According to a notification received today via Interpol channels, the extradition has been suspended by the Greek Ministry of Justice without any reasons being given. We will continue to monitor developments in this case and provide more details as soon as they are available," the statement added.
PM Recean: We will investigate how the oligarch halted his extradition
"I have seen the statement from the prosecutor's office regarding Mr Plahotniuc's extradition," PM Recean said. "We will investigate how he managed to halt his extradition. Even if he hopes that after the elections, Moldova will fall into Russia's hands and he can return home a free man, the institutions must bring him back in handcuffs."
Viorel Cernăuțeanu, head of the General Police Inspectorate (IGP), had previously said that Mr Plahotniuc was expected to be brought to Moldova "earlier than 25 September". The extradition documents sent by Greek authorities were received by the competent bodies in Chișinău on 15 September.
The former democratic leader is under investigation in four criminal cases, including for creating an organised crime group, large-scale money laundering, fraud and his involvement in a major bank fraud. He faces a prison sentence of eight to 15 years.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
