Greece extradites oligarch Plahotniuc to Moldova in $1bn fraud case

Vladimir Plahotniuc, an oligarch and former senior Moldovan politician, denies any wrongdoing.

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Vladimir Plahotniuc, 59, was flown from Athens to Chisinau on Thursday morning and then taken to a detention centre in Moldova's capital, local officials said.

The tycoon, who faces several long-running criminal cases in Moldova, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and has vowed to prove his innocence.

His extradition comes days before Sunday's parliamentary elections, with President Maia Sandu warning that Moldova's independence and European future are in danger because of attempts by Russia to foment violence and spread disinformation.

Vladimir Plahotniuc fled Moldova in 2019, when his Democratic Party was voted out of power.