Moldovan oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc banned from entering the country
Published: Wednesday, Nov 20th 2024, 13:10
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The Federal Administrative Court has upheld an entry ban imposed on Moldovan oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc. It has rejected the appeal by Plahotniuc, who holds Moldovan, Romanian and Russian citizenship. This decision can be appealed to the Federal Supreme Court.
The Federal Office of Police (Fedpol) had decided on the basis of criminal proceedings in several countries on suspicion of money laundering that the Moldovan ex-politician posed a "qualified threat to Switzerland's internal and external security".
In a ruling published on Wednesday, the Federal Administrative Court states that the wife and underage son live in Switzerland. However, the appellant has not lived with his family since 2011 and they visit him in Turkey, where he allegedly lives.
Bundle of clues
According to the court, the public interest in keeping the Moldovan away from Switzerland far outweighs his interest in returning here. The fact that he has not yet been convicted does not change this. The Fedpol could rely on a bundle of circumstantial evidence. The ten-year entry ban was discretionary.
Plahotniuc applied for a residence permit in Switzerland in 2018. After he fled Moldova in June 2019, the country submitted a request for legal assistance to Switzerland, which was rejected. An application for asylum in the USA was unsuccessful.
The businessman was a member of the Moldovan parliament from 2010 to 2015. He was considered the most influential man in the country and is accused of embezzling large sums of money. He has always denied these allegations. (Judgement F-361/2020 of 21.10.2024)
©Keystone/SDA
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