A Moldovan citizen recruited by Russia Federal Security Service laundered cryptocurrencies between 2020 and 2022 to finance destabilization activities and received a 15 year prison sentence.
The court delivered the verdict on January 12, 2026. Judges found the man guilty of treason and large scale fraud and established that he also incited hatred against Ukrainian refugees.
The court found that the defendant acted through individuals affiliated with the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation and used his expertise in cryptocurrencies to organize the transfer and liquidation of large sums of money from Russia on the territory of the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. He used these funds to pay individuals, carry out tasks assigned by foreign handlers, and finance actions aimed at manipulating public opinion and destabilizing the social and political situation.
Judges also found that the defendant committed fraud by misleading a victim and illegally obtaining 200,000 USDT, equivalent to 200,000 US dollars, causing particularly large material damage.
The court ordered the defendant to remain in preventive detention until the sentence becomes final, with immediate enforcement. Judges also ordered the recovery of 3,738,280 lei as material damages in favor of the injured party and seized the defendant assets to secure the civil claim and court expenses.
The defendant may appeal the sentence within 15 days to the Chisinau Court of Appeal Centru.