Moldovan crime crackdown: Kyiv assassination plot and Radulov detention

contract killings Kyiv assassination plot Iurie Radulov extradition organized crime

Moldovan prosecutors have sent a man to trial for allegedly recruiting a group to carry out four contract killings in Kyiv, Ukraine. The plot, which involved both Moldovan and Ukrainian citizens, targeted a military officer, a prominent journalist, a leader of a strategic state enterprise, and a public administration communications representative.

According to the Prosecutor's Office for Combating Organized Crime and Special Cases (PCCOCS), the group planned to use 400,000 USD for the hits, with payments intended to be made via cryptocurrency to avoid detection. Suspects reportedly used disguises, such as food delivery couriers, to monitor their targets. Law enforcement in both Moldova and Ukraine intervened before the crimes could be committed, seizing weapons and explosives.

Separately, Iurie Radulov, a convicted murderer known as Babior, has been detained in Turkey. Radulov, who was previously sentenced to life imprisonment, fled Moldova after being granted conditional release. Moldovan Interior Minister Misail Nichitin stated that the extradition process is underway and should be completed within 30 days if all legal requirements are met.

Entities

Interpol · Istanbul Police · Iurie Radulov · Kyiv · Misail Nichitin · National Police of the Republic of Moldova · PCCOCS · Turkey · Turkish Intelligence Agency

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 5 SOURCES] The planned assassinations targeted a military officer, a prominent journalist, a leader of a strategic state enterprise, and a public administration communications representative. www.ziarulnational.md · democracy.md · radiomoldova.md · telegraph.md · moldova1.md
[● 3 SOURCES] Iurie Radulov, alias Babior, has been detained in Turkey and faces extradition to Moldova. ziar.md · tvrmoldova.md
[● 5 SOURCES] Law enforcement in Ukraine and Moldova intervened before any of the four planned murders were committed. www.ziarulnational.md · democracy.md · radiomoldova.md · telegraph.md · moldova1.md
[● 5 SOURCES] Suspects used disguises, such as food delivery couriers, to monitor targets in Kyiv. www.ziarulnational.md · democracy.md · radiomoldova.md · telegraph.md · moldova1.md
[● 5 SOURCES] A Moldovan citizen has been sent to trial for recruiting eight people to prepare contract killings in Kyiv, Ukraine. www.ziarulnational.md · democracy.md · radiomoldova.md · telegraph.md · moldova1.md
[● 5 SOURCES] A Ukrainian woman involved in the group was already convicted for placing two grenades near a target's workplace. www.ziarulnational.md · democracy.md · radiomoldova.md · telegraph.md · moldova1.md
[● 5 SOURCES] The group intended to use 400,000 USD for the executions, with payments planned via cryptocurrency to hide transactions. www.ziarulnational.md · democracy.md · radiomoldova.md · telegraph.md · moldova1.md
[● 3 SOURCES] The extradition process for Radulov should take no more than 30 days if documentation is correct. ziar.md · tvrmoldova.md