Vladimir Plahotniuc sentenced to 19 years for embezzling $1 billion from Moldovan banks in 2014. He controlled Moldova's government during the 2010s and fled in 2019. Plahotniuc detained in Greece and extradited back to Moldova in 2025. He denies wrongdoing, calling the case politically motivated. Conviction viewed as evidence of Moldova's judicial reforms and European democratic shift. U.S. and U.K. sanctioned him for corruption and undermining democracy