Moldova and Russia seek extradition of fugitive oligarch arrested in Greece

Moldova has filed an official request for the extradition of Mr. Plahotniuc to face charges for his alleged role in a $1 billion bank fraud, a scandal known in the country as the “theft of the century.” The head of Moldova’s police, Mr. Viorel Cernauteanu, said he expects the request to be prioritized.

Simultaneously, Russian authorities are seeking his extradition on an outstanding warrant for allegedly planning the assassination of a political rival and for embezzlement.

Mr. Plahotniuc, a powerful former political leader who fled Moldova in 2019, was arrested at the Athens airport based on an Interpol red notice. Police discovered he had been living in a luxury villa and had obtained Greek identity documents using false pretenses. 

His associate, Mr. Constantin Țuțu, was also arrested on separate charges.

The case will now proceed through the Greek court system, a process that could take several weeks, before the Greek Minister of Justice, Mr. Giorgos Floridis, can make a final determination.

Mr. Plahotniuc, a powerful former political leader who fled Moldova in 2019, was arrested at the Athens airport based on an Interpol red notice. 

Police discovered he had been living in a luxury villa and had obtained Greek identity documents using false pretenses. 

His associate, Mr. Constantin Țuțu, was also arrested on separate charges.

The case will now proceed through the Greek court system, a process that could take several weeks, before the Greek Minister of Justice, Giorgos Floridis, can make a final determination.