Kremlin Decries Arrest of Moldovan Gagauz Leader as Political Suppression Ahead of Elections

On Wednesday, the Kremlin denounced the detention of the head of Moldova’s semi-autonomous Gagauz region, deeming it a politically motivated action intended to stifle dissent against the pro-European Union president of the country.

Evghenia Gutul, the leader of Gagauzia, was apprehended by Moldovan authorities at Chisinau International Airport late on Tuesday and is currently being held for a period of 72 hours. Last year, a Moldovan court initiated proceedings against her, accusing Gutul of channeling Russian funds to the now-banned pro-Russian Shor Party.

Gutul has ties to the Shor Party, whose exiled head, Ilan Shor, reportedly received financing from Russian sources—including oligarch Roman Abramovich—to spearhead destabilization efforts within Moldova. In the spring of last year, Gutul traveled to Russia to request backing from President Vladimir Putin, alleging that Moldovan authorities were attempting to undermine her position.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told the media, “The current authorities in Moldova are clearly exerting overt pressure on prominent and proactive politicians who might pose competition to [President] Maia Sandu.”

“We express strong condemnation of such actions and urge Chisinau to renounce these tactics and permit all political entities in the country to function freely,” he added.

Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, connected Gutul’s arrest to the approaching parliamentary elections in Moldova scheduled for July.

“With the parliamentary elections nearing, adversaries of the current government increasingly report arbitrary actions from law enforcement, claiming that the nation has devolved into a police state,” Zakharova stated.

She accused the Moldovan government of suppressing pro-Russian sentiments through legal actions against opposition members, restricting Russian-language media, and applying “substantial pressure” on politicians and journalists advocating for strengthened relations with Moscow.

Gutul’s arrest comes on the heels of the mysterious disappearance last week of two pro-Russian lawmakers—one already sentenced to prison and the other awaiting a verdict concerning corruption allegations similar to those directed at Gutul.

Gagauzia, which is primarily Russian-speaking and inhabited by ethnic Turks in southern Moldova, has a population of approximately 140,000. The region underwent significant Russification after being absorbed into the Moldavian SSR, further solidifying its cultural and linguistic connections to Russia.

Following its independence in 1991, Gagauzia sought and received autonomy in 1994. Since then, local leaders have often been at odds with Moldova’s central government regarding cultural policies, economic progress, and foreign relations.

Gutul’s electoral win in June 2023 remains unrecognized by Moldova’s Central Election Commission due to alleged violations of campaign finance rules and foreign interference. She has been excluded from Cabinet meetings and recently faced sanctions imposed by the United States.