Vlad Plahotniuc, former leader of the Democratic Party, has been sentenced to 19 years in prison. Judges at the Chisinau Court issued the decision on April 22.
Plahotniuc did not attend the hearing.
Prosecutors state that the case involves large-scale fraud, money laundering, and the creation and leadership of a criminal organization. They had requested a sentence of up to 25 years in prison.
Throughout the trial, Plahotniuc denied all charges and pleaded not guilty, while his lawyers requested acquittal. The sentence is not final and can be appealed in a higher court.
Authorities detained him in Greece on July 22, 2025, and extradited him to the Republic of Moldova on September 25 of the same year. He is currently held in pre-trial detention at Penitentiary No. 13.