Moldova says 17 arrested in plot to assassinate leading politician
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 8 April 2017 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Moldova says 17 arrested in plot to assassinate leading politician, 8 April 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5975a71e13.html [accessed 21 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
April 08, 2017
Moldovan media tycoon Vlad Plahotniuc is also the head of the Democratic Party, the largest partner in Moldova's pro-European governing coalition.
Prosecutors say that 17 people have been detained in Moldova and Ukraine in a suspected plot to assassinate Vladimir Plahotniuc, one of Moldova's most powerful politicians.
Vitalie Busuioc of the Moldovan Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime said on April 8 they had seized money and weapons, including grenade launchers, that were to be used in plot to kill Plahotniuc, a businessman who is also the head of the Democratic Party, the largest partner in Moldova's pro-European governing coalition.
Eight of the suspects were arrested in Moldova, while the nine others were in Ukraine, according to Busuioc.
Ion Iachimov of the Moldovan National Investigation Inspectorate said two Moldovans, one of whom is currently in Moscow, ordered the murder in exchange for $200,000.
The Democratic Party said in a statement that it "firmly condemned this criminal act."
Ukraine's Interior Ministry said on April 7 that the authorities had thwarted an assassination attempt against Plahotniuc.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
