According to Moldovan media reports, ex-deputy Vladimir Plahotniuc, who has been in Turkey since August this year, received Turkish citizenship.
According to the Moldovan portal noi.md, Plahotniuc became a citizen under the Citizenship in Exchange for Investment program. In accordance with this program, in order to obtain citizenship, it is enough to buy real estate in Turkey for the amount of $250,000.
Plahotniuc secured himself with Turkish citizenship, since Turkish law prohibits the extradition of its own citizens to foreign states. Therefore, it is unlikely that the law enforcement agencies of Moldova will be able to get hold of the oligarch.
According to the Moldovan media, Plahotniuc, while in power in Moldova, met several times with Turkish President Erdogan and provided him with certain services. In particular, in March 2018, at the request of Turkey, Plahotniuc arrested the director of the Orizont Lyceum and several teachers with Turkish citizenship and extradited them to Turkey.