A court in Moldova has sentenced former opposition leader and billionaire Vladimir Plahotniuc to 19 years in prison for his role in a massive banking fraud scandal that shook the country more than a decade ago.

The Buiucani District Court in Chișinău convicted the 60-year-old on multiple charges, including leading a criminal organization, fraud, and money laundering. The case centers on the 2014 disappearance of approximately $1 billion from three Moldovan banks—an amount equivalent to roughly one-eighth of the country’s GDP at the time.

Prosecutors alleged that Plahotniuc received millions from the stolen funds through companies linked to fellow oligarch Ilan Shor. State prosecutor Alexandru Cernei said authorities had sought a 25-year sentence and plan to pursue $60 million in damages.

Plahotniuc, who did not attend the sentencing, has consistently denied the allegations, describing the case as politically motivated. His lawyer, Lucian Rogac, criticized the ruling as unlawful and confirmed plans to appeal.

Plahotniuc fled Moldova in 2019 after failing to form a government and was later detained in Greece before being extradited back to Moldova in 2025, where he remained in pretrial custody.

Analysts say the conviction marks a significant moment for Moldova’s judicial system. Iulian Groza, head of a policy think tank in the country, described the ruling as a milestone demonstrating progress in legal reforms, though he noted the appeals process will be a key test of the system’s integrity.