The Anti-corruption Prosecutor’s Office, in partnership with the National Police of France, carried out searches on French territory at property belonging to Vlad Plahotniuc, accused in the 2014 bank fraud case. As a result, 92,000 euros and 3,000 Swiss francs were seized. Also, an apartment and two villas in France were seized, and prosecutors will ask the court to confiscate them.
According to the information possessed by law enforcement agencies, the former leader of the Democratic Party is now in Northern Cyprus. The information was presented today by the leadership of the Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office (PA).
Octavian Iachimovschi, interim deputy chief prosecutor of PA, said that the real estate is registered to companies in France and Cyprus, but there is evidence that they belong to Vlad Plahotniuc. The searches were carried out in an apartment in the commune of Sciez, where a close relative of the politician was staying. Also, a villa under construction in the same city was searched, as well as a villa in the Alps area.
According to Iachimovschi, the third property is a traditional chalet for the alpine area, with ground floor, first floor and attic, located at the upper level of the town of Combloux, on a 21-acre plot, overlooking the peak of Mont Blanc, with six bedrooms , office, library, recreation space with fireplace and bar, gym, sauna, wine storage room, cold room, garage for 8 cars, boiler room and other facilities.
“We are waiting for the administered evidence to be sent to the Republic of Moldova and, of course, we are waiting for a decision as soon as possible to be taken by the Moldovan judges. We are convinced that the evidence we administered proves the involvement of Mr. Plahotniuc and his guilt in the bank fraud. And as a result of the sentence, if the court is convinced by our evidence, it will order the confiscation of these assets”, said Octavian Iachimovschi.
In France, witnesses were heard who indicate that Vladimir Plahotniuc is the actual beneficiary of the searched property.
