---
title: "Plahotniuc sentenced to 19 years in $1B banking fraud"
url: https://radiomoldova.md/p/75034/plahotniuc-sentenced-to-19-years-in-1b-banking-fraud
published: 2026-04-24T14:39:16Z
language: en
author: "Raisa Lozinschi-Hadei"
section: "Justice"
source: radiomoldova.md
---

# Plahotniuc sentenced to 19 years in $1B banking fraud

> Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu warned that Moldova’s justice system still faces significant challenges, despite the recent 19-year prison sentence handed to fugitive oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc.

![](https://storage.radiomoldova.md/images/e536f9ed-1b4d-4960-a454-ef91a387f2e9.jpg)

Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu warned that Moldova’s justice system still faces significant challenges, despite the recent 19-year prison sentence handed to fugitive oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc.

On April 22, the Chisinau Court found Plahotniuc guilty of fraud, money laundering, and leading a criminal organization. The court ordered the seizure of assets worth €51 million (approx. 1 billion MDL) to cover damages.

**The quest for asset recovery**

Speaking ahead of a parliamentary session, Grosu emphasized that the priority remains the recovery of the €56.12 million (approx. 1.1 billion MDL) stolen from the banking system between 2013 and 2015.

"We should not have illusions that one swallow makes a spring," Grosu stated. He urged citizens to closely monitor the case as it moves to the Court of Appeal.

**Systemic justice reforms**

The Speaker noted that Plahotniuc could not have orchestrated such sophisticated operations alone. He expressed hope that the ruling would lead to the prosecution of all high-level accomplices involved.

According to Anti-Corruption Prosecutor Marcel Dumbravan, several other criminal files involving Plahotniuc are pending. The former Democratic Party leader remains a fugitive, with defense lawyers confirming they will appeal the conviction.

Translation by **Iurie Tataru**