Moldovan oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc, 59, was extradited from Greece to Chisinau, Moldova, this morning to face charges in a $1 billion bank fraud case, as reported by Vanguard Intelligence. Plahotniuc is the primary suspect in the 2014 disappearance of approximately 12% of Moldova's GDP at the time. He was apprehended at Athens airport while attempting to board a flight to Dubai, pursuant to an Interpol notice. In Paris, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was found guilty of criminal association by the Paris Criminal Court, according to AFP France. The court released him from the specific charges of corruption related to the case. Sarkozy previously led the Democratic Party in Moldova, part of the 2016-2019 governing coalition, and served as deputy speaker of parliament. Plahotniuc, who had resided in 22 countries since 2023, was found to possess 16 passports, including those from Romania, Mexico, and Russia, upon his arrest. The bank fraud is infamously known as “the theft of the century” in Moldova. Prior reports mentioned a Polish law change regarding military deployments, French President Emmanuel Macron's discussions with former US President Donald Trump concerning Israel's annexation of the West Bank, and an explosion in Swindon, UK, which was to be the site of the UK's largest drone factory. The diplomatic developments involving Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's statements at the UN regarding sanctions against Israel were also noted in previous reports.
