Leader of the Democratic Party of Moldova Vladimir Plahotniuc delivers a speech during a rally demanding a creation of parliament coalition, in Chisinau, Moldova June 9, 2019. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko/File Photo
CHISINAU (Reuters) -Moldovan authorities said on Thursday they launched extradition proceedings for Moldovan business magnate Vladimir Plahotniuc, detained in Greece on a warrant related to a fraud case over the disappearance of $1 billion from banks in the ex-Soviet state.
Plahotniuc, former leader of a small political party, was arrested on Tuesday at the Athens airport while on his way to Dubai. He has denied wrongdoing.
An Interpol red notice was issued against him based on accusations that include participation in a criminal organisation, money laundering and fraud.
He is accused in connection with the disappearance of $1 billion from Moldovan banks in 2014 known as the "theft of the century." The sum equalled 12% of Moldova's gross domestic product at the time.
"The prosecutor's office expresses its conviction that ... Greek authorities will agree to the request for the purpose of bringing to account the person being sought," Moldova's general prosecutor's office said.
Moldovan media said this week that Russia was also seeking Plahotniuc's extradition in connection with drugs offences.
Viorel Cernauteanu, head of Moldova's general police inspectorate, said the Moldovan request would get priority treatment as Chisinau had actively sought his arrest.
Plahotniuc was expected to appear before a Greek prosecutor on Friday.
Since 2023, Plahotniuc has lived in 22 countries, changing residence regularly to avoid detection, Greek police said. A police investigation found that Plahotniuc was living with his partner in a luxurious villa in the Athens suburbs.
Plahotniuc, 59, was the leader of the Democratic party from 2016-2019, part of the governing coalition at the time, and served as deputy speaker of parliament. While in office, he wielded great influence over the police, judiciary and courts.
The scandal around the fraud case has had long-lasting reverberations. Moldova's central bank chief was removed in 2023 after failed attempts to recover the lost money.
In 2023, the European Union imposed sanctions on seven people from Moldova, including Plahotniuc, for actions that it said destabilised and undermined the territorial integrity of Moldova and neighbouring Ukraine.
(Reporting by Alexander Tanas, Additional reporting by Renee Maltezou in Athens, Writing by Ron Popeski; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
