The recusal of the trial panel, another reason for postponing the bank fraud case in which Vladimir Plahotniuc is accused
A new hearing in the bank fraud case, in which Vladimir Plahotniuc is a defendant, has been postponed by judges at the Court of Appeal, Chisinau. This time, the reason was the lawyers' request to recuse the panel. The anti-corruption prosecutor's office had previously warned that the case was being held up.
The Chisinau Court of Appeal was due to continue today examining the bank fraud case in which Vlad Plahotniuc is a defendant. Lawyers have asked the court to recuse itself, and the court has announced a break of several days to decide on the case, court spokeswoman Adela Rosca told Radio Moldova.
Another hearing was postponed about a month ago, when the anti-corruption prosecutor's office accused the court of delaying the examination of the case.
Vladimir Plahotniuc has been indicted for creating and leading a criminal organisation, fraud and money laundering. According to prosecutors, he allegedly received between 2013 and 2015 more than $39 million and 3.5 million euros in bank loans fraudulently obtained from the three banks that were robbed in 2014 through companies founded by Ilan Shor, in the names of intermediaries.
On 17 November 2022, the court of first instance, the Ciocana court of Chisinau, authorised the completion of the criminal proceedings in the absence of Vladimir Plahotniuc, a decision that was challenged by lawyers at the Constitutional Court.
There are currently 18 judges working at the Chisinau Court of Appeal, three of whom are examining the case of former Democratic leader Vladimir Plahotniuc.
