Moldovan judges keep former power broker Plahotniuc in custody until late February
A Chisinau court extended the preventive detention of former Democratic Party leader Vladimir Plahotniuc for an additional 30 days on Wednesday. The ruling ensures the high-profile defendant will remain in custody until at least February 22, 2026.
The decision followed a formal request by the Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office. Prosecutors successfully argued that maintaining the restrictive measure is essential for the ongoing investigation into the massive "Bank Fraud" case that shook the nation's economy.
Judicial pressure mounts
Beyond the main case, the Chisinau Court (Ciocana division) approved three additional motions from prosecutors. These rulings maintain preventive measures across several other criminal proceedings involving the former politician.
"The court admitted three similar requests filed by prosecutors during the criminal investigation phase, extending the preventive arrest by 30 days in each instance," the Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office stated.
From exile to the courtroom
Plahotniuc, once Moldova's most powerful figure, was extradited from Greece in September 2025. His return ended over six years of international flight following the collapse of his political influence in 2019.
He made his first physical appearance in court on December 2, 2024. This followed a two-month period during which he and his legal team reviewed the extensive evidence gathered by the state.
The scale of the charges
The prosecution alleges Plahotniuc was a primary beneficiary of funds siphoned from Banca de Economii, Unibank, and Banca Sociala. The total value of the suspected embezzlement exceeds $39.2 million and €3.5 million (approx. 68.6 million MDL).
While facing these grave charges, Plahotniuc has maintained a plea of not guilty. His defense team has recently requested the hearing of "key witnesses," claiming their testimony is vital to establishing the truth behind the banking collapse.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
