Anti-corruption prosecutors of the Republic of Moldova, together with the employees of the Agency for the return of criminal assets, searched several objects in France that would belong to the former president of the Democratic Party of Moldova, Volodymyr Plahotniuc, who is currently under international investigation. (ARBI) of the National Anti-Corruption Center of the Republic of Moldova, Chisinau authorities announced on Wednesday.

The Prosecutor’s Office of Moldova received permission from the French investigative judges to carry out actions on the territory of France: searches, questioning of some witnesses and the use of arrest – freezing of some assets from France, the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Moldova reports News.ro.

The actions took place between January 9 and 11, 2024 in connection with the “Bank Fraud” case, in which the former businessman is suspected of participating in the embezzlement of almost a billion dollars in Moldovan banks between 2012 and 2012. 2014 year. Actions took place in the department of Haute-Savoie, in the city of Siez and in the cities of Combloux, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, Sallanche and Douvin.

“Prosecutors and employees of the Republic of Moldova went to France to participate in the search procedure, interrogation of witnesses and other actions. We agreed to tell you the details of the actions of last week,” said the head of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, Veronika Dragalin, quoted by NewsMaker.md.

The actions involved three properties identified through information exchange and coordination efforts with French authorities. The real estate in question was registered to legal entities, but actually belonged to the Plahotniuk family.

“Prior to this trip to the French Republic, several real estate properties belonging to Volodymyr Plahotniuk were seized. The purpose of the trip was to search these real estate objects, as well as other persons, in order to accumulate indisputable evidence that would prove the belonging of these real estate objects to the Plahotniuk family. These assets were registered in companies registered in France and Cyprus, apparently without any connection with Volodymyr Plahotniuk. (…) Several people were interviewed,” said the Deputy Head of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office Octavian Jachimovski.

Several assets believed to belong to Plahotniuk have been found in France, including an apartment in which a first-degree relative was found. The prosecutor’s office refused to specify who it was about, citing that the person in question does not have status in the case.

Law enforcement officers also set up a villa on the shores of Lake Leman. “This villa is under renovation and a villa in Combloux, near the Alps. The villa has an area of ​​about 500 m2, six bedrooms, bathrooms, a library, a wine cellar, a wine storage room, gymnasiums, a garage and is located in one of the most dangerous areas to visit in the city of Combloo,” said the prosecutors.

The second property is also located in the commune of Sciec and is an apartment with two parking spaces, located in a residential complex, with access to a tennis tent and a swimming pool, during the criminal investigation it was established that the house is managed by a close relative of Plahotniuk.

The third property is a traditional alpine chalet (chalet) with ground floor, first floor and attic, located on the upper level of the town of Combloo, on a 21 acre plot, with views of the summit of Mont Blanc, with six bedrooms, a study, a library, a recreation area with a fireplace and a bar, a gym, a sauna, a wine cellar, a cold room, a garage for 8 transport units, a boiler room and other engineering facilities.

As a result of the searches, 92,000 euros and 3,000 Swiss francs were seized, the origin of the money will be established with subsequent seizure. Also seized were hardware, phones and several documents that will be investigated in the criminal case and contain additional information about other real and movable assets belonging to the Plahotniuk family, such as a villa in Switzerland. At the same time, witnesses were heard who indicated that the actual beneficiary of the searched goods is the former leader of the DPM.

In July 2023, the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office sent Volodymyr Plahotniuk to court, in the absence of the accused, an arrest warrant is currently in effect.

Volodymyr Plakhtniuk, who ten years ago dominated the politics of Chisinau, is currently on the sanctions list of the EU, Great Britain, the USA and Canada.