On Wednesday, August 13, the Athens Court of Appeal ruled that the extradition of oligarch Vlad Plahotnyuk to Moldova is possible under conditions to be set by the Greek Ministry of Justice. The final decision on extradition will be made by the Greek authorities.
The hearing took place in Plahotnyuk’s absence, but his lawyers were present, as well as representatives of Moldova’s embassy in Greece.
Moldovan authorities submitted two extradition requests: one from the General Prosecutor’s Office, and the second from the Ministry of Justice. Earlier, Plahotnyuk himself expressed consent to extradition to Moldova, rejecting the possibility of being sent to Russia. France also submitted its own extradition request.
What is known about Vlad Plahotnyuk
Vlad Plahotnyuk is one of Moldova’s most well-known oligarchs and politicians. He served as the first deputy speaker of Moldova’s parliament from December 30, 2010, to February 15, 2013.
In June 2019 he fled to Ukraine, and later moved to the United States, where in January 2020 his stay was deemed unwelcome. In Moldova, three criminal proceedings have been opened in his name, including involvement in the embezzlement of a billion dollars from Moldovan banks in 2014.
According to the prosecutor’s office, through networks connected with pro-Kremlin politician Ilan Shor, Plahotnyuk allegedly received more than $39 million and €3.5 million.
Interpol issued an international arrest warrant for him on February 7, 2025. According to Interpol, Plahotnyuk holds passports from Moldova, Romania, Russia, and Mexico; the Mexican passport had previously been identified as forged.
On July 22, 2025, during transit in Athens the Moldovan oligarch was detained by law enforcement on the way to Dubai. According to Moldovan authorities, he was in Greece in transit. On that day, Moldova’s Ministry of Justice began the extradition proceedings.
“The extradition request will be sent to the competent authorities in Greece,” added the spokeswoman, stressing that Moldova’s Ministry of Justice is closely monitoring the situation “to protect the country’s interests.”
– Spokesperson for Moldova’s Ministry of Justice