Recean on Plahotniuc’s Extradition: He Controls Almost Nothing in Moldova

Former Democratic Party leader Vladimir Plahotniuc no longer has any influence in the Republic of Moldova, and Moldovan arbitrators will have to judge him fairly after his extradition, Prime Minister Dorin Recean said.   “He no longer controls almost anything in the Republic of Moldova and does not control the judiciary,” Recean emphasized on television, according to pulsmedia.md. The Prime Minister recalled that Plahotniuc is in prison in Greece after six years on the run from the country. “Now he will be transported to Moldova in handcuffs, and it is the task of the justice system to put the law first and judge him fairly according to the law. We know that he is a criminal,” added Recean. The head of government emphasized that Plahotniuc’s boasting on social media does not change reality: “Today, Vladimir Plahotniuc no longer has any influence in the Republic of Moldova”. Recean also stressed that the process of extraditing and trying Plahotniuc should not be linked to the upcoming parliamentary elections: “The extradition, trial and arrest of Plahotniuc is a process of bringing to justice criminals who stole and abused their power in Moldova. The law must be at the forefront of this process”. On 28 August, the Athens Court of Appeal (Greece) considered two additional extradition requests from the Moldovan authorities. Plahotniuc was brought to court in handcuffs for the hearing. He was arrested in Greece on 22 July 2025 after six years on the run from Moldovan law enforcement. The first extradition warrant was approved on 13 August by the Athens Court of Appeal. Additional extradition requests relate to other charges, including aggravated fraud and money laundering, as well as establishing and leading a criminal organization.