Kremlin Condemns Moldova’s Sentencing of Gagauzia Leader Evghenia Gutsul Over Shor Party Funding

Following the sentencing of Gagauzia’s leader, Evghenia Gutsul, to seven years for financing the pro‑Russian Shor Party, the Kremlin reacted, Orda.kz reports, citing RBK.

Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov called the case political and accused the Moldovan authorities of suppressing the opposition.

In the wake of the verdict, more than a hundred people reportedly gathered outside the courthouse in Chisinau to protest in support of Gutsul. Demonstrators chanted “Shame!” and condemned the government’s actions. Gutsul herself rejected the charges and called the trial politically motivated.

Gagauzia, populated mainly by a Turkic minority, has long remained a region with strong pro‑Russian sentiment.

Unlike the self‑proclaimed Transnistria, Gagauzia has no army and is officially subordinate to Chisinau, but it regularly demonstrates political autonomy.

Since being elected bashkan, Gutsul has often visited Moscow and met with representatives of the Russian authorities. According to Western sources, she sought an audience with Vladimir Putin.
 
Original Author: Ruslan Loginov