Vladimir Plahotniuc had agreed to be repatriated as he seeks to challenge the Maia Sandu government

A Greek court has approved Moldova's extradition request for Vladimir Plahotniuc, an exiled politician and businessman facing multiple charges in his home country, his lawyer confirmed Thursday.

The 59-year-old fled Moldova in 2019 after his party lost power. He was arrested at Athens International Airport last month while attempting to travel to Dubai. He appeared in court in person this week to clear the way for a preliminary ruling issued in his absence in mid-August to be upheld.

Plahotniuc's attorney, Lucian Rogac, said on Facebook that Greek authorities had granted his client's request to be sent to Moldova rather than Russia, where he has been wanted since 2017 for allegedly masterminding a failed assassination attempt on a banker.

Plahotniuc has insisted he wants to return to Moldova to fight allegations of fraud, money laundering and participation in a criminal organization, as well as to challenge the government of President Maia Sandu.

He has accused Moldovan authorities of attempting to delay his extradition until after the September 28 parliamentary election, in which Sandu's ruling Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) faces the possibility of losing its majority to an opposition bloc.

Moldovan officials have denied interfering with the extradition, which still requires final approval from the justice ministries of both countries.

Sandu has faced criticism at home for allegedly abusing power by attempting to weaken political opponents and gag opposition media while framing the moves as necessary to counter "Russian influence" and safeguard Moldova's path toward European Union integration.

Moscow has accused her of manipulating elections by restricting ballot access for Moldovans living abroad, particularly in Russia. Sandu won reelection last November by around a 180,000 vote margin. She lost the popular vote at home but was propelled to victory due to her strong backing from Moldovans in Western Europe and North America.

(RT.com)