Businessman Veaceslav Platon, who was sentenced to 30 years in jail in two criminal cases, said his extradition from Ukraine occurred under the personal control of the former President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, at the request of then ex-leader of the Democratic Party Vlad Plahotniuc. According to the ex-MP, who is held at Penitentiary No. 13, his extradition cost 3 million euros or dollars and the money was paid to Poroshenko by Plahotniuc, IPN reports, quoting an interview for TV8 channel’s talk show “Politics of Natalia Morari” given by the former MP in jail.
Veaceslav Platon said he was 100% sure he will not be extradited as he obtained Ukrainian nationality in 1993, before being granted Moldovan nationality, and the legislation of Ukraine bans the extradition of own citizens. But he was arrested the day he was put on the wanted list by the Moldovan authorities. He didn’t believe they will act so swiftly as the procedure usually lasts even if it is hastened. He realized that Vlad Plahotniuc was preparing an operation, but he then hoped that the law ruled in Ukraine.
He noted his extradition took place under the personal control of President Petro Poroshenko. Even if the situation was explained in different ways, in all the cases Poroshenko said that he promised to Plahotniuc. Moreover, he said they need to maintain good relations with Moldova and an anti-Russia government should be there in Moldova. Throughout the process, the legal norms were violated and documents that allowed him to get a Ukrainian passport were removed from the file so as to later declare that he obtained the nationality illegally.
Veaceslav Platon stated he was told that his extradition cost 3 million euros or dollars and the money was paid to Poroshenko by Vlad Plahotniuc. “I think this could be proven. So, the plane that landed first in Chisinau didn’t transport passengers. It was empty, but took off with money aboard,” he said, noting the aircraft was used by Poroshenko personally.
He also said that he challenged his extradition as the legislation provides that any prosecution is possible only with the consent of the country that extradites the person. If the extradition is declared illegal, he should be set free and offered 15 days to leave the country.
Veaceslav Platon was arrested in July 2016 on charges of swindle and money laundering in very large amounts that caused damage of over 800 million lei to Banca de Economii (Savings Bank). He got 30 years behind bars based on two criminal cases. Veaceslav Platon pleads not guilty.
