"Today, investigators of the Investigative Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia in absentia charged the former chairman of the Democratic Party of the Republic of Moldova, Vladimir Plakhotniuc ..." - said in a statement on the ministry's website.
It is noted that the charges were also brought against Plakhotnyuk's trustee - athlete Konstantin Tsutsu.
The report says that Plakhotniuk and Tsutsu are accused of committing a crime under Art. 210 of the Criminal Code of Russia, as well as on 28 episodes of smuggling and illegal sale of narcotic drugs on a large scale.
Also, the Interior Ministry said that Plakhotnyuk became one of the leaders of the transnational drug consignment no later than 2012.
Earlier, Plakhotnyuk left the post of leader of the Democratic Party of Moldova.
According to media reports, politicians and businessmen who are associated with the Democratic Party of Moldova, leave the country.