Evgenia Guțulin Charged with Four Offenses

The leader of Gagauzia, Evgenia Guțulin, has been charged with four offenses related to the alleged illegal financing of the 2023 electoral campaign, Prosecutor Adrian Scutaru informed reporters.

"She is accused of four crimes: illegal financing of the electoral campaign for the position of Bashkan of Gagauzia in 2023, forgery of official documents, falsification of declarations, and falsification of campaign financing reports," he stated.

The prosecutor declined to answer whether Guțulin is cooperating with the investigation. "The investigative bodies have created sufficient grounds to request a 30-day detention. We have established sufficient legal risks, such as the risk of avoiding responsibility and the potential to negatively influence the investigation process and the provision of evidence," Scutaru added.

The head of Gagauzia was arrested on March 25 at Chișinău Airport. Prosecutors are requesting her detention for 30 days; however, the court session to decide on the measure of restraint has been postponed until March 31.

Through her lawyers, Guțulin has appealed to the Presidents of Russia and Turkey, asserting that her detention, which she claims is absurd and politically motivated, is merely a link in the Moldovan authorities' attempt to eliminate the autonomy of the Gagauz people.

According to her lawyer, Guțulin was interrogated as a suspect but denies the charges.