Moldova seeks Swiss help investigating controversial tycoon
Moldova has sent the Swiss authorities a request for mutual legal assistance in connection to an investigation focused on tycoon Vlad Plahotniuc.
This content was published on
1 minute
SDA-Keystone-swissinfo.ch/ds
The Federal Office of Justice (FOJ) received the request on August 26, according to the weekly NZZ am Sonntag and Swiss news agency SDA-Keystone.
The request was forwarded to the public prosecutor’s office of Zurich, Switzerland’s leading financial hub.
The FOJ did not provide details about the request. However, according to the German-language newspaper, it cannot be ruled out that the Moldovan Public Prosecutor’s Office requests that Plahotniuc’s funds deposited in Zurich banks be frozen. The Moldovan tycoon also owns a villa in Collonge-Bellerive in the canton of Geneva.
The controversial oligarch, 53, was the most powerful and richest man in one of Europe’s poorest countries. On the run since June, Plahotniuc denies using political influence for personal gain.
The Moldovan Public Prosecutor’s Office has been investigating him since a change of government last February. More than $1 billion (CHF1 billion) disappeared from Moldova’s state-owned banks in 2014.
Protein in abdominal fat could help shape obesity treatment
This content was published on
The study analysed fat cells from different locations in the body, and found that those in the abdomen have unique properties.
North African asylum claims fall after rapid Swiss processing
This content was published on
The accelerated procedure, now out of its test phase, has resulted in a significant drop in applications from North African countries.
This content was published on
The artist's song "The Code" focuses on their journey as a nonbinary individual. It is one of the favourites to win this year's contest.
Swiss climate activists block vehicles near Gotthard tunnel
This content was published on
Around ten climate activists briefly blocked the A2 motorway near the northern entrance of the Gotthard tunnel on Thursday.
Watches belonging to Michael Schumacher up for auction
This content was published on
Schumacher's family is auctioning off eight rare watches from his collection in Geneva. The Christie's auction will take place on Monday.
Joya Marleen and Baschi named best solo acts at Swiss Music Awards
This content was published on
St. Gallen singer Joya Marleen and Baschi from Basel were named artists of the year at the Swiss Music Awards 2024 on Wednesday night.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss diplomats placed request for tobacco firm in Moldova
This content was published on
Swiss officials lodged a request on behalf of Philip Morris in Moldova, where politicians were debating a new tobacco law.
Campaign funding still a taboo topic in Switzerland
This content was published on
swissinfo.ch sheds light on the tradition of Swiss secrecy on funding of political parties and candidates during elections.
Guinea mining corruption affair to go to trial in Geneva
This content was published on
Israeli billionaire Beny Steinmetz is to stand trial along with two associates for the alleged payment of bribes in Guinea between 2005 and 2010.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.