On 22 July, Vladimir Plahotniuc, an oligarch and former influential politician in Moldova, was arrested in Athens, Greece, while attempting to board a flight to Dubai. This arrest, made possible through information provided by Interpol’s office in Athens, may have significant political implications for Moldova, particularly ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections of 28 September.
President Maia Sandu and the pro-EU government are contending with a considerable disinformation campaign and voter manipulation orchestrated by various pro-Moscow opposition parties and Russian interests. The Plahotniuc’s arrest may weaken this anti-government front. “After six years, we are finally witnessing positive progress. It is now imperative that all responsible entities expedite the extradition process, adhering to all legal protocols. The Moldovan justice system must act without delay to ensure the administration of justice,” said President Sandu in response to the developments.
Plahotniuc had been placed on Interpol’s international wanted list in February. Alongside him, Greek authorities apprehended Constantin Tutu (Țuțu), a former Member of Parliament from Plahotniuc’s Democratic Party, who is wanted by Russian authorities for alleged involvement in international drug trafficking and also had an Interpol red notice issued against him.
According to police reports, both individuals intended to fly from Athens to Dubai. On 23 July, Plahotniuc was officially remanded into custody for 40 days, in accordance with the European Convention on Extradition.
Despite publicly advocating for pro-European Union and pro-Western policies and striving to reduce Russian influence in Moldova when in power, Plahotniuc has faced allegations of involvement in pro-Russian political campaigns that undermine Moldova’s pro-EU trajectory.
Plahotniuc’s “Odyssey“
Plahotniuc fled the country in 2019 amid serious allegations of corruption. He faces multiple charges, including involvement in a scheme that resulted in the theft of approximately $1 billion from a Moldovan bank in 2014. Plahotniuc has denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
After initially relocating to the United States, he was declared persona non grata in 2020. In addition, in 2022, the U.S. State Department included him on the sanctions list due to allegations of corruption, including the manipulation of law enforcement to target political and business opponents, as well as interference in Moldova’s electoral processes. The United Kingdom also imposed sanctions on him in 2022, barring his entry to the country and freezing his assets within British territories.
In 2023, the European Union sanctioned seven individuals from Moldova, including Plahotniuc, citing actions that destabilised the territorial integrity of Moldova and Ukraine.
Reports indicate that since 2023, Plahotniuc has resided in 22 different countries, frequently changing locations to evade detection, as confirmed by Greek law enforcement officials.
His arrest followed an investigation by a specialised unit of the Greek police, with Interpol seeking Plahotniuc on suspicions of involvement in a criminal organisation, as well as fraud and money laundering. Plahotniuc and his associate, Tutu, were reportedly hiding in a luxury villa located in Saronida, a coastal suburb of Athens. During a search of the villa, authorities uncovered approximately €155,000, 17 passports from various countries, including Moldova, Romania, Russia, and Mexico. However, the Mexican Foreign Ministry has verified that one of the Mexican passports is false. Additionally, authorities found mobile phones, computers, and luxury watches. Additionally, the authorities confiscated a Skoda Kodiaq vehicle used by Plahotniuc.
A report from the Greek daily newspaper Kathimerini suggested that Plahotniuc may have obtained Greek legal documents, including a Greek identity card and passport, using false papers.
During an airport security check, authorities discovered Bulgarian travel documents, €2,670 in cash, two mobile phones, a laptop, and digital storage media. Meanwhile, Tutu was found in possession of travel documents and licenses containing forged Romanian and Bulgarian papers.
Alliance with fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor
Arrest warrants have been issued against Plahotniuc in connection with three criminal cases. In July 2023, the prosecutor’s office submitted the case against Plahotniuc to the court, accusing him of complicity in the embezzlement of one billion dollars from Moldovan banks in 2014. The prosecutor’s office reports that Plahotniuc allegedly received $39 million and €3.5 million through companies controlled by Ilan Shor.
Media investigations indicate that Plahotniuc, in collaboration with various individuals, including the fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor, established a criminal organisation intending to destabilise the country’s banking system through embezzlement and money laundering. This operation reportedly involved the use of shell companies in Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates, with the total amount of laundered funds exceeding €128 million and $66 million.
Ilan Shor, currently residing in Russia, played a significant role in the 2014 Moldovan bank fraud mega-scandal.
Shor has been associated with ongoing efforts to destabilise Moldova and promote the establishment of a pro-Russian government. On 15 July, the European Council expanded its EU sanctions list to include nine individuals and three organisations implicated in activities that jeopardise Moldova’s sovereignty and independence, all of whom are linked to Ilan Shor. Additionally, the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Moldova has recently denied registration for the Victory Bloc, which Ilan Shor established in Moscow in April 2024.
The Konstantin Tutu’s case
Former Democratic Party lawmaker Konstantin Tutu is currently facing allegations in Moldova related to illegal enrichment and the submission of inaccurate information in his income declaration.
According to the investigation conducted by the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, Tutu, while in a government position from 2014 to 2019, reported receiving an income exceeding 6.45 million lei from various sources. In contrast, his declared expenses during the same period surpassed 10 million lei.
Moldova’s Prosecutors assert that Tutu intentionally withheld information regarding his income and expenses, thereby providing misleading information in his official documentation.
Moldova initiated the extradition procedure
President Maia Sandu said the detention of Vladimir Plahotniuc is a positive development. She further asserted that Plahotniuc’s detention signifies a collective achievement for all involved parties and reiterated the importance of restoring justice through appropriate legal channels.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova has confirmed that Plahotniuc does not possess a valid diplomatic passport. Furthermore, the Moldovan Ministry of Justice has commenced the extradition process for the fugitive oligarch from Greece.
The arrest of Plahotniuc may have a significant political impact on Moldova, as it could potentially reduce the destabilisation efforts of pro-Moscow actors.
