Russia has sharply criticized Moldova’s decision to pursue legal action against Yevgenia Gutsul, governor of the autonomous Gagauzia region, describing it as a clear example of politically driven persecution.
Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, accused Moldovan authorities of targeting Gutsul over her political views and ties to Moscow. “This is how so-called European values are implemented — by punishing those who dissent,” Zakharova wrote on her Telegram channel, referring to Moldova’s pro-European government.
Gutsul was taken into custody on March 25 while trying to leave Moldova. Prosecutors claim she financed the banned SOR party, which is critical of Moldova’s current leadership. They are seeking a nine-year prison term and a five-year ban from public office. Gutsul has denied the allegations, calling the case a politically motivated attack aimed at silencing regional leaders who oppose deeper EU integration.
Her arrest has drawn protests in the capital, Chisinau, with her supporters accusing the government of suppressing regional autonomy. The EU had already sanctioned Gutsul in 2024 for allegedly promoting separatism and maintaining close ties with the Kremlin — charges she also refutes.
Since taking office in 2020, President Maia Sandu’s administration has focused on aligning Moldova more closely with Western institutions, particularly the European Union and NATO. Political opponents, including former president Igor Dodon, have accused Sandu of cracking down on dissent and severing Moldova’s traditional ties with Russia.
Gutsul has appealed to world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan, urging them to intervene. In a letter earlier this year, she asked Moscow to help secure her release and push back against what she called Moldova’s political oppression.
Russia has expressed concern over Moldova’s increasing use of law enforcement to neutralize opposition voices and religious institutions. Recent confrontations between police and Orthodox protesters have further fueled accusations of state overreach.
Gagauzia, located in southern Moldova, is a self-governing region with strong cultural and linguistic ties to Russia. Its residents have historically opposed Moldova’s shift toward the West. In a 2014 vote, more than 98% of Gagauzia’s citizens supported joining the Russia-led Customs Union instead of integrating with the EU.
