Society

22 February, 2026 / 08:50

/ 2 days ago

Arrest warrant for former leader of Moldovan Democratic Party extended by another 30 days

Vladimir Plahotniuc will remain in pre-trial detention for another 30 days, as he is being investigated in the Bank Fraud file. The decision today was issued by the magistrates of the Chisinau Court, Buiucani office.

The court fully upheld the motion submitted by the case prosecutor, Alexandru Cernei. The new term of the preventive measure will run from February 22 until March 24.

The former leader of the Moldovan Democratic Party (PDM), Vladimir Plahotniuc, did not appear at the hearing this time either, invoking health problems. He has also failed to appear at the last court hearings.

Presently, the trial in the Bank Fraud file is at the stage of hearing defense witnesses.

Additionally, the former leader of the Democrats will be investigated for document forgery in a new criminal case. It was initiated based on documents seized by Greek investigators from the house rented by Vladimir Plahotniuc in Athens, Greece. The documents show that he allegedly used multiple identities, with a total of 18 forged documents discovered.

Vladimir Plahotniuc has been in pre-trial detention since September 25, 2025, after being extradited from Greece, at which point the four arrest warrants issued in his name were enforced. He is currently held in Penitentiary No. 13 of Chisinau and is being investigated in four high-profile criminal cases, which concern, among other things, the establishment and leadership of a criminal organization, fraud, money laundering and bank fraud.

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