The extradition of fugitive oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc to the Republic of Moldova has been suspended, so he will not be extradited on September 25, as previously announced, the General Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Moldova informed on Wednesday.
The institution cited a decision to this effect adopted today by the Ministry of Justice of Greece, which did not indicate the reasons for the suspension.
The General Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Moldova stated in a press release that it was notified of the Greek authorities' decision through Interpol channels, as reported by Moldpres.
Furthermore, the General Prosecutor's Office also recalled that since the detention of Vladimir Plahotniuc on Greek territory on July 22, 2025, the institution has taken all necessary and provided actions under applicable international treaties to bring him to the Republic of Moldova for criminal accountability for the committed offenses.
The Greek authorities have examined the requests and, taking into account all circumstances of the cases, have approved the extradition of Vladimir Plahotniuc on all extradition requests submitted by the Republic of Moldova, as noted by Moldpres.
The fugitive oligarch was supposed to be handed over to the authorities in the Republic of Moldova in the coming days.
Prime Minister Dorin Recean had a first reaction, stating that the authorities will investigate "how the criminal managed to prevent his extradition."
"Even if he hopes that after the elections Moldova will fall into Russia's hands and he will be able to come home freely, the institutions must bring him home in shackles. And we - the citizens of this country - must ensure that everyone is brought to justice and that this process is not stopped," said Dorin Recean.