A court in Moldova has sentenced influential oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc to 19 years in prison. The conviction stems from a massive fraud case involving the disappearance of $1 billion from the nation's banking system in 2014.
Plahotniuc, a former businessman and lawmaker, fled Moldova in 2019 amid multiple corruption allegations. He was extradited from Greece last year after an international alert. Prosecutors sought a 25-year sentence, accusing him of leading a criminal organization, fraud, and large-scale money laundering.
The court also ordered the seizure of approximately $60 million from Plahotniuc's accounts. The 60-year-old was not present for the sentencing and has previously called the trial politically motivated. His lawyer announced plans to appeal the decision, citing legal violations.
Plahotniuc has faced international scrutiny, including sanctions from the US and UK in 2022 for alleged corruption, interference in elections, and efforts to undermine Moldova's pro-European trajectory.