Vladimir Plahotniuc

Vladimir Plahotniuc is a former Moldovan oligarch, politician, and leader of the Democratic Party of Moldova. On April 22, 2026, a Moldovan court sentenced him to 19 years in prison for his role in the 2014 banking fraud known as the theft of the century, where $1 billion was siphoned from three Moldovan banks. He was convicted of creating and leading a criminal organization, money laundering, and fraud. The court also ordered the seizure of approximately $60 million from his assets to repay state damages. Plahotniuc fled Moldova in 2019, lived as an international fugitive, and was extradited from Greece to Moldova in September 2025. Throughout his career, he faced numerous corruption allegations, including controlling law enforcement to target rivals and interfering in elections, for which he was sanctioned by the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union. He is also wanted in Russia on charges including organized crime and drug trafficking. Plahotniuc has consistently denied all allegations, describing them as politically motivated. His legal team has indicated plans to appeal the 2026 conviction.