Latest news with #VitaliePirlog
New York Times
a day ago
- Politics
- New York Times
Former Interpol Official Detained for Role in ‘Big Carousel' of Corruption
A former senior official at Interpol, the international police organization, has been detained in the United Arab Emirates under an arrest alert issued by his former employer at the request of France. The former official, Vitalie Pirlog, is wanted in France and his home country of Moldova in connection with a sprawling investigation into a scheme that allowed wanted fugitives to get red notices — which are arrest alerts — lifted in return for payments to corrupt officials. A statement released on Wednesday by the U.A.E.'s ministry of interior said Mr. Pirlog had been apprehended on Sunday and 'now faces multiple charges, including forgery, bribery, facilitating bribery, and fraud.' Nicolae Posturusu, a lawyer for Mr. Pirlog in Chisinau, Moldova's capital, declined to comment on his client's detention. Samuel Health, the spokesman for Interpol in Lyon, France, also declined to comment, saying Mr. Pirlog's case was 'a matter for local authorities' in the U.A.E. From 2017 until 2022, Mr. Pirlog, who previously served as justice minister and intelligence service director in the former Soviet republic of Moldova, led a powerful and highly sensitive commission at Interpol's headquarters in Lyon responsible for reviewing red notices. After leaving the police organization, he relocated to Dubai and came under scrutiny from French and Moldovan investigators looking into how dozens of fugitives wanted for drug trafficking and other crimes had managed to void Interpol arrest alerts against them. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
The National
a day ago
- Politics
- The National
Former Moldovan justice minister wanted by Interpol on corruption charges arrested in UAE
The Ministry of Interior has announced the arrest of Moldovan Vitalie Pirlog, who is wanted by Interpol in connection with an international corruption case. Mr Pirlog was arrested in the UAE at the request of French authorities who asked for a red notice be issued against him by Interpol, state news agency Wam reported, adding that he faces charges including forgery, offering and mediating bribes, and fraud. In addition to previously serving as his country's justice minister, Mr Pirlog also performed a senior role in Interpol, where he was the chairman of the Interpol Commission for the Control of Files. "The arrest was carried out under continuing co-ordination with international and regional partners, including law enforcement agencies and global organisations, as part of broader efforts to ensure community safety and international security," Wam stated. "French authorities commended the professionalism and determination of the UAE Ministry of Interior, stating that such co-ordinated action underscores the importance of international co-operation in combating transnational crime."
