Moldova’s Chisinau Appeals Chamber reaffirmed on Thursday the conviction of Israeli-Moldovan politician and businessman Ilan Shor, now living in Israel. The court found Shor guilty of fraud and ruled that he must return to Moldova to serve 15 years in prison.

Shor had appealed his earlier conviction, claiming he was politically persecuted. In a statement quoted by Israel Hayom, Shor said, “The decision was made illegally and under pressure. The judges who made that decision will soon find themselves in prison. I don’t care about the decision and do not intend to follow it. It will be canceled once the regime is replaced."

In 2017, Shor was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison for money laundering, fraud and breach of trust. On April 13, the appeals court doubled that term to 15 years and froze all of Shor’s assets. The ruling read, "The Court of Appeals decision is definite and can be executed immediately, while the defendant has the right to appeal to the Supreme Court of Justice."

Shor, 36, was born in Israel to parents of Moldovan origin. The family returned to Moldova when Ilan was still a young boy. Over the years, Shor became a successful businessman, first with duty-free shops inherited from his father and then in other sectors. Moldovan authorities claim that together with other oligarchs, Ilan Shor took part in a 2014 theft of $1 billion from Moldova's banking system.