Reuters: Plahotniuc’s Extradition Suspended Due to Romanian Investigation

The Greek Ministry of Justice has suspended the extradition of Vladimir Plahotniuc to allow him to testify before a Greek prosecutor in connection with a document forgery investigation in Romania. A Greek court had previously approved his extradition on charges of forming an organised criminal group, money laundering, bribery, and fraud. The transfer was scheduled for next week, just days ahead of parliamentary elections on 28 September. The Romanian Prosecutor General’s Office confirmed the suspension, without citing reasons, adding that the decision was communicated via Interpol, stiri.md reports. A source within Greek legal circles told Reuters, on condition of anonymity, that the suspension was linked to Plahotniuc’s status as a suspect in the Romanian forgery case, which requires his cooperation with Greek prosecutors. Plahotniuc was arrested on 21 July at Athens Airport while attempting to fly to Dubai. He was wanted by Interpol. During a search of his Greek residence, police reportedly found around 20 identity documents, including Romanian, Mexican, and Russian ones. The former leader of Moldova’s Democratic Party (PDM) is the main suspect in the 2014 “billion-dollar theft” case. Russia has also requested his extradition on drug trafficking charges.