Vladimir Plahotniuc announces that he intends to return to the Republic of Moldova: “I want to prove my innocence”
The oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc argues that the accusations against him are based on “slander and political hatred” and promises to cooperate with the authorities.
Vladimir Plahotniuc wants to return to the Republic of Moldova to rehabilitate his photo name: PDM
The oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc announced on Friday, by posting on social networks, that he wants to return to the Republic of Moldova to rehabilitate his name. It is the first important statement of the former politician from his detention in Greece, based on an international mandate issued for involvement in a case of proportions.
Plahotniuc, a former deputy and considered one of the most influential and rich people in Moldova, is accused of being involved in “Theft of the century ”, The disappearance of a billion dollars from the Moldovan banking system in 2014, the equivalent of 12% of the country's GDP at that time.
“I want to prove my innocence”
Last week, Plahotniuc agreed to be extradited to the Republic of Moldova and announced that he will cooperate with the international judicial authorities. The Moldovan government, which pursues accession to the European Union by 2030, requested its extradition, but Russia also requested the same thing.
“I am going to return to the country, so that, first of all, I will prove my innocence in front of the law enforcement bodies (or what remained of them after the so-called” reform “)”Plahotniuc wrote.
He qualified all the charges that are brought to him as “slander and political hatred. “
Political charges and electoral fears
Plahotniuc suggested that the Moldovan authorities are trying to postpone the extradition process for his return to the country to take place only after the parliamentary elections of September 28, in which the Action and Solidarity (PAS) Party, in government and led by the President Maia Sandu, risks losing the majority.
According to Plahotniuc, his return to Moldova could “Reveal the truth” about the criminal case in which it is involved.
PAS replica: “Justice must act”
Adriana Vlas, the spokesman for the PAS party, rejected the accusations of the oligarch and said that the country wants a functional and correct justice. “Justice must act, in compliance with the law”she said, quoted by News.ro.
Arrested in Greece, sought by Interpol
Vladimir Plahotniuc, 59, fled Moldova in 2019. He was arrested last month at Athens airport, while trying to reach Dubai.
An international arrest warrant by Interpol was issued on his behalf, based on charges of participation in a criminal organization, money laundering and fraud.
Plahotniuc led the Democratic Party of Moldova between 2016 and 2019, during which the formation was part of the ruling coalition, and held the position of vice -president of the Parliament.
