Moldovan Oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc Extradited, Days Before Pivotal Elections

"CHISINAU -- Moldovan oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc has been extradited to Chisinau to face long-running criminal charges, jolting the country just days before a tense general election already roiled by allegations of Russian interference. Plahotniuc, who has been implicated with a decade-old bank fraud case known as the "theft of the century," arrived in the Moldovan capital September 25 after being extradited from Greece where he had been held since July."

"The businessman's arrival in Moldova come as the country braces for parliamentary elections scheduled for September 28, a vote that will determine if the country moves closer to the European Union or if it falls further into Russia's political orbit. President Maia Sandu and her pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity are trying to hold onto their majority in parliament, amid a strong push by a political bloc led by former President Igor Dodon, who has maintained close ties with Moscow."

Vladimir Plahotniuc was extradited from Greece to Chisinau on September 25 to face long-running criminal charges tied to a decade-old bank fraud dubbed the "theft of the century." He is the lead suspect in the disappearance of about $1 billion from Moldovan banks in 2014, an amount estimated at roughly 12 percent of the country's GDP. His return occurs days before the September 28 parliamentary election that could tilt Moldova toward the European Union or closer to Russia. President Maia Sandu's pro-European party is defending its parliamentary majority against a pro-Russian bloc led by former President Igor Dodon. Authorities reported seizures of weapons and explosives and the arrest of 74 people accused of involvement in a plot to stoke disorder.

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