Latest news with #Gutsul
Russia Today
7 days ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Moldovan region rejects sentencing of local Euroskeptic leader
The parliament of Gagauzia, an autonomous, predominantly Russian-speaking region in Moldova, has rejected the sentencing of local Euroskeptic leader to seven years in prison, calling it illegal and politically driven. Gutsul, who was elected in 2023 and has consistently advocated for close ties with Russia, was found guilty of channeling illegal funds from an organized criminal group to the banned Euroskeptic SOR party and of financing protests against the Moldovan government. Gutsul denied the charges, calling the process a 'political execution' conducted 'on orders from above.' The ruling triggered protests outside the courthouse against Moldova's pro-Western government. The Gagauzian parliament rallied behind Gutsul. In a resolution issued Thursday by Gagauzia's People's Assembly and Executive Committee, MPs said they 'categorically reject and do not recognize the verdict' of the Moldovan court. The document described the ruling as a 'politically motivated' attempt 'to eliminate the legally elected head of the autonomous region.' 'We consider this verdict a political reprisal, planned and executed from above,' the resolution said, adding that the ruling was 'an act of political vengeance' that 'undermines the autonomous region's legal status.' The Gagauzian authorities said Moldova's government bears 'full responsibility for the destabilization' of the situation in the region, while suggesting that the crackdown seeks to tip the scales ahead of the nationwide parliamentary elections slated for late September. Moscow criticized the verdict as an attack on democracy. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the ruling was labeled in both Moldova and Gagauzia as 'an act of revenge' and 'a fabricated case' without credible evidence. 'It became the culmination of repression by the Chisinau regime against the entire Gagauz autonomy,' she added.
Malaysia Sun
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Malaysia Sun
EU creating liberal dictatorship in ex-Soviet country Moscow
The Russian Foreign Ministry has condemned the prosecution in Moldova of regional head Yevgenia Gutsul as politically motivated repression Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has denounced the Moldovan authorities' efforts to imprison the leader of the autonomous region of Gagauzia, Yevgenia Gutsul, calling it an example of "European anti-values in action." Gutsul, who was elected as Gagauzia's governor in July 2023, was detained on March 25 while attempting to leave Moldova. Authorities have accused her of illegally financing the banned Euroskeptic SOR party. She has denied the charges and called the case politically motivated. The Moldovan Prosecutor's Office requested a nine-year prison term for on Tuesday. In addition, authorities have called for a five-year ban on Gutsul holding public office. "The European anti-values are in action. From a hardworking country, Brussels is forging a liberal dictatorship," Zakharova wrote on her Telegram channel. Gutsul's arrest has triggered protests outside the courthouse in Chisinau, with supporters calling the proceedings a politically driven attempt to neutralize opposition in the region. In October 2024, the EU also sanctioned Gutsul for "promoting separatism," maintaining "close ties with Russia," and allegedly threatening Moldova's sovereignty. President Maia Sandu's government, in power since 2020, has pursued rapid integration with the European Union and NATO. Opposition figures, including former President Igor Dodon and members of the Victorie party, have accused the government of repressing dissent and abandoning Moldova's traditional ties with Russia. Gutsul has appealed to foreign leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan to intervene. In a March letter, she urged Putin to exert pressure on Moldovan authorities for her release. Russian officials and opposition groups in Moldova have warned that the central government is increasingly using law enforcement to suppress political rivals and religious institutions. In recent months, clashes between police and Orthodox Christian demonstrators at protests have drawn additional criticism from pro-traditionalist factions. Gagauzia, a largely Russian-speaking autonomous region in southern Moldova, has historically favored closer ties with Russia and has opposed Moldova's integration with the European Union. In a 2014 referendum, more than 98% of voters in the region supported joining the Russia-led Customs Union. (
Russia Today
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Court extends Moldovan governor's arrest
A court in Moldova has ordered Governor Yevgenia Gutsul, who heads the autonomous region of Gagauzia, to be held in custody for 20 days. Prosecutors had asked for her to be remanded for one month. Gutsul is a vocal critic of the country's pro-Western government. The official was first detained on Tuesday at Chisinau International Airport, with the Moldovan authorities saying she was on a wanted list. On Friday, prosecutors said the governor stood accused of complicity in illegal campaign financing in the 2023 election. The politician won the governor's post in Gagauzia that year. She was also charged with falsifying documents. Law enforcement officials did not provide any further details about the charges, citing a pending investigation. Gutsul herself maintains her innocence. Her lawyers have denounced the court decision as 'absurd' and vowed to appeal. 'When there are no legal arguments [in favor of such a court decision], there are other arguments. I believe they are political in this case,' one of the politician's lawyers, Sergiu Moraru, told journalists after the hearing. Read more Kremlin responds to arrested Moldovan governor's appeal to Putin The governor herself labeled the investigation a 'political case' linked to her role as Gagauzia's leader. She has accused Chisinau of pursuing a plan to dismantle the region's autonomy through lawfare targeting her administration. The Gagauz are a Turkic-speaking, predominantly Orthodox Christian ethnic group living in southern Moldova. Their region has been granted broad rights to self-government. On Thursday, Gutsul appealed to both Russia and Türkiye to apply pressure on Moldovan President Maia Sandu's administration in defense of Gagauzia's rights. The Kremlin responded that it had 'reviewed' Gutsul's request. Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the actions of the Moldovan authorities are at odds with the democratic principles proclaimed by the West. Chisinau claims that Gutsul is part of a Russian influence operation aimed at disrupting the country's attempts to become a member of the EU. Moscow has accused Moldova of cracking down on politicians and journalists who advocate closer ties with Russia.
Russia Today
27-03-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Kremlin responds to arrested Moldovan governor's appeal to Putin
The Kremlin said on Thursday it had reviewed an appeal by Yevgenia Gutsul, the detained leader of Moldova's autonomous Gagauzia region, to Russian President Vladimir Putin, asking for help in securing her release. Gutsul was taken into custody on Tuesday evening at Chisinau International Airport, with the Moldovan authorities saying she was on a wanted list. In a statement released via her lawyers on Thursday, she accused the government of pursuing a plan to dismantle the region of Gagauzia's autonomy through lawfare targeting her administration. Also on Thursday, Gutsul appealed to both Russia and Türkiye to apply pressure on Moldovan President Maia Sandu's administration in defense of Gagauzia's rights. In her message to Putin – published on her Telegram channel – she said the region looks 'with hope and faith to Russia,' a country that has 'never betrayed friends' and always stood by those 'who fight for the truth and their legal rights.' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed to TASS that Moscow had 'reviewed' Gutsul's request, and said her detention was at odds with the democratic principles proclaimed by the West. Read more EU candidate's pro-Western government arrests autonomous region's leader Peskov had already condemned the arrest on Wednesday, calling on Moldovan authorities to stop putting pressure on political opponents. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova echoed that criticism, accusing the government in Chisinau of cracking down on politicians and journalists who advocate for closer ties with Moscow. According to Moldovan media, Gutsul was taken into custody as part of an investigation into the 2023 gubernatorial election in Gagauzia, which she won. Her campaign was accused of financial irregularities. The Moldovan government claims that Gutsul is part of a Russian influence operation aimed at disrupting the country's attempts to become a member of the EU. The Gagauz are a Turkic-speaking, predominantly Orthodox Christian ethnic group living in southern Moldova. Their region, Gagauzia, has been granted broad rights to self-government. Sandu has questioned Gutsul's mandate as governor, denouncing her former party 'Shor' as a 'criminal organization.' A court in Chisinau banned the party in 2023.
