Probe of stolen $1 billion should continue after conviction of Moldovan magnate

The investigation of a stolen $1 billion from Moldovan banks more than a decade ago should continue after the conviction of a prominent business magnate, the speaker of the country's parliament said on Saturday.



A court sentenced businessman Vladimir Plahotniuc, one of Moldova's richest men, to 19 years in prison this week in a case dubbed the "theft of the century" involving the transfer abroad of a sum equivalent at the time to 12% of Moldova's gross domestic product. The money was siphoned out through dubious

loans, asset swaps and shareholder deals.



He was personally accused of receiving payments of $39 million and 3.5 million euros ($4.1 million) from three banks. Prosecutors had sought a 25-year sentence.



Igor Grosu, the second-ranking person in Moldova's state hierarchy, told reporters that further investigation was vital to discovering the whole truth behind the mass fraud, as Plahotniuc could not have been solely responsible.