"Greece Hands Over Billionaire to Moldova in $1bn Election-Era Scandal"

Greece Extradites Oligarch to Moldova in $1 Billion Fraud Case Ahead of Elections In a move that has sparked controversy ahead of Sunday's parliamentary elections, Greece extradited Moldovan oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc, 59, to Moldova on Thursday morning. According to local officials, Plahotniuc was flown from Athens to Chisinau and taken to a detention centre in the capital. Plahotniuc faces charges related to the theft of $1 billion (748 million euros), with his extradition coming days before the elections. President Maia Sandu has framed the vote as crucial for Moldova's independence and European future, while critics have accused her government of politicizing the extradition. The tycoon, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and vowed to prove his innocence, is also facing several long-running criminal cases in Moldova. His extradition has been met with mixed reactions, with some seeing it as a step towards holding accountable those responsible for alleged corruption, while others view it as an attempt to influence the outcome of the elections. According to Reuters, Plahotniuc was seen being led away by masked Moldovan police officers after landing at Chisinau airport. The extradition comes amid growing concerns about corruption and cronyism in Moldova's politics, with many calling for greater transparency and accountability. President Sandu has warned that the elections are a test of Moldova's commitment to democracy and its future as an independent European country. "This is not just about the elections," she said in a statement. "It's about our independence, our sovereignty, and our future." The extradition process has been criticized by some as rushed and lacking transparency. According to experts, the move may have been motivated by political considerations rather than a genuine commitment to justice. "The timing of this extradition is suspicious, especially given the proximity to the elections," said Dr. Maria Ciobanu, a Moldovan politics expert at the University of Bucharest. "It's possible that the government is using Plahotniuc as a pawn in their electoral strategy." The current status of the case remains unclear, with Plahotniuc's lawyers expected to challenge his extradition in court. The outcome of the parliamentary elections will likely have significant implications for Moldova's future, both domestically and internationally. In the meantime, the extradition of Vladimir Plahotniuc has added a new layer of complexity to an already contentious electoral process. As the country prepares to go to the polls on Sunday, one thing is clear: the fate of Moldova's independence and European aspirations hangs in the balance. This story was compiled from reports by BBC World and BBC World.