PHOTO // Bank Fraud file reaches Moldova's Court of Appeal: prosecutors seek 25 years in prison for Vladimir Plahotniuc

The Bank Fraud file is once again in the spotlight of the judiciary. In next August, the Chisinau Court of Appeal (Central seat) will examine the appeal filed in this case. Previously, both prosecutors and Vladimir Plahotniuc’s lawyers announced they would challenge the sentence issued by the first instance court. While the Prosecutor’s Office is requesting a harsher punishment of 25 years in prison, the defense says that the former Democratic leader is innocent.

The first hearing in the case was scheduled for August 24, 2026. The case will be examined by a panel of judges chaired by magistrate Denis Babalau.

The sentence of the Chisinau Court, Buiucani seat, delivered on April 22, 2026, was appealed by both parties. At that time, Vladimir Plahotniuc was sentenced to 19 years in prison, having been found guilty of creating and leading a criminal organization, fraud and money laundering in the Bank Fraud file.

The court also ordered the recovery from the former leader of the Moldovan Democratic Party (PDM) of approximately 60 million US dollars, an amount considered to be the damage caused by the embezzlement of the three banks involved in the case. Until a final decision is issued, the preventive measure of pre-trial detention has been maintained.

Prosecutors consider the punishment too lenient and are requesting that it be increased to 25 years in prison. On the other hand, Vladimir Plahotniuc’s lawyers are seeking the annulment of the sentence and his acquittal, arguing that the accusations have not been proven.

In addition to the Bank Fraud file, Vladimir Plahotniuc is also under investigation in other criminal cases, including for document forgery. The investigation was launched after the Greek authorities had seized more documents from his rented residence in Athens, which allegedly prove the use of multiple identities. According to investigators, 18 forged documents were discovered.

Vladimir Plahotniuc has been in pre-trial detention since September 25, 2025, following his extradition from Greece, when four arrest warrants issued in his name were enforced. He is currently being held in Penitentiary No. 13 from Chisinau.