Moldovan ex-politician Plahotniuc, detained in Greece, was found to have a Russian passport.

Vladimir Plahotniuc, the former leader of the Moldovan Democratic Party (PDM), who was detained in Greece, has a Russian passport. Izvestia learned about this on July 28.

He received Russian citizenship under a simplified procedure as a native of the territory of the former USSR. According to the rules in force in those years, persons who lived in Moldova or on the territory of Transnistria could obtain Russian passports without having to enter Russia.

In a questionnaire filled out in November 2004 when applying to the Russian embassy, Plahotniuc indicated that he considers Russia his "historical Homeland" and seeks to "be protected by its laws."

At the time of the appeal, Plahotniuc introduced himself as an employee of the Tisa-Bel company, working as a loader. He also stated in his personal data that he is a stateless person and permanently resides in Tiraspol. In the column about education, he did not mention the presence of higher education.

In addition to Russian citizenship, Plahotniuc has a Bulgarian passport, with which he was detained in Greece. According to Moldovan media, he is also a Mexican citizen.

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The fugitive Moldovan politician is accused of organizing a criminal community, drug trafficking and bribing security forces.

On July 26, a criminal case was opened in Romania against Plahotniuc upon the discovery of forged documents. It is noted that forgery of two identity cards, two driver's licenses and one passport of the person involved with distortion of data about the identity of the owner was revealed.

On July 22, Plahotniuc was detained in Greece. It was reported that he was detained at Athens airport when the defendant was on his way to Dubai. Also in February, Moldova's Interpol put Plahotniuc on the international wanted list.

In Moldova, Plahotniuc is accused of money laundering, fraud and illegal enrichment, as well as of withdrawing $1 billion from the country's banking system. The court in Chisinau has issued a warrant for his arrest in absentia several times, and the Moldovan prosecutor's office insists on the oligarch's extradition to his homeland. In addition, in November 2017, the Basmanny Court of Moscow arrested Plahotniuc in absentia and put him on the international wanted list for attempted murder. He is also suspected of withdrawing large funds from Russian banks together with Moldovan politician Renato Usatii.

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