Moldova Seeks Plahotniuc’s Extradition From US Over Theft Charges

Moldova's General Prosecutor, Alexandr Stoianoglo, on Monday said the fugitive tycoon Vlad Plahotniuc, the former leader of the Democratic Party, PD, had illegally got hold of 100 million US dollars from the banking system.

He added that Plahotniuc was helped in this action by a group of companies belonging to another fugitive tycoon, Ilan Shor, the leader of the Shor Party, which is in opposition in the Moldovan parliament.

US authorities have confirmed that Plahotniuc is currently in the United States and faces extradition procedures. Shor has fled to Israel. Moldova does not have extradition agreements with either country, however.

Plahotniuc also has Romanian and Russian citizenship and so, if he faces extradition, may choose not to return to Moldova.

"We have indisputable evidence that … Plahotniuc was the beneficiary of money obtained in the form of credit from Banca de Economii through the Shor Group, and covered consequently by the … National Bank of Moldova," Stoianoglo said.

He added that Plahotniuc used the 100 million US dollars to purchase shares in a bank, an insurance company, the Casa Modei building and the National Hotel in Chisinau, among others.

Stoianoglo said a new indictment would be issued, pressing three charges against Plahotniuc: setting up a criminal organisation, fraud and money laundering on a large scale.

Papers in English would be drafted and sent to the US, asking for Plahotniuc's extradition. "Measures will be taken to prosecute both Plahotniuc's personal assets and his affiliated companies," Stoianoglo said.

When he fled Moldova in last June, Plahotniuc denied all charges against him and blamed Russia for the investigation.

"Moscow now controls the machinery of law enforcement...