Vladimir Plahotniuc’s detention extended by 30 days; prosecutors cite persisting risks
Vladimir Plahotniuc will remain in preventive detention for an additional 30 days. On Monday, October 20, the magistrates of the Chisinau Court in Buiucani approved the request from anti-corruption prosecutors to extend the arrest warrant for the former leader of the Democratic Party.
According to the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, the request was filed within the file sent to trial in his absence, regarding an episode in the file generically called "Banking Fraud". Also on Monday, the judicial investigation was started, with 28 court hearings being scheduled.
"We also submitted a request requesting the extension of the preventive measure in the form of preventive arrest because the risks that were established when applying the measure are still current. In particular, we mentioned the risk of evading trial and the risk of hindering the proper conduct of the trial", stated the prosecutor in the case, Alexandru Cernei.
Vladimir Plahotniuc has been in custody since September 25, 2025, the date on which the four arrest warrants previously issued in his name were implemented, immediately after his extradition from Greece. He is detained at Penitentiary no. 13 in Chisinau and is targeted in four high-profile criminal cases in the Republic of Moldova, including for creating and leading a criminal organization, fraud, money laundering and bank fraud. Plahotniuc does not plead guilty.
