The organized crime prosecutor’s office will require the US government to extradite the Moldovan oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc, who is hiding from justice.
The relevant decision was confirmed by the Chisinau Court of Appeal, rejecting the request of the fugitive corruption lawyers who tried to challenge the decision of the Chisinau court of the Cecana sector.
Earlier, the court issued an arrest warrant for Plahotniuc for 30 days at the request of prosecutors. The oligarch is accused of fraud, money laundering, and the organization and management of a criminal organization. Plahotniuc awaits up to 15 years in prison.
The appeal hearing was initially scheduled for May 28, but was rescheduled 5 times at the request of lawyers.
As News Front previously reported, Vladimir Plahotniuc fled Moldova last year after an unsuccessful coup attempt. Then, following the results of the parliamentary elections, the Party of Socialists teamed up with the pro-Western bloc “ACUM”, forming a majority in the legislature. Plahotniuc, then head of the Democratic Party, refused to recognize the alliance and tried to usurp power in the country. The situation was settled with the assistance of Russia, the European Union and the USA, after which Plahotniuc hastily left Moldova.