Gagauzia’s governor accuses Moldova of power grab

Reuters

Evghenia Gutul alleges that Moldova plans to impose a state of emergency in Gagauzia and take control of the autonomous region.

Gagauzia’s governor, Evghenia Gutul, has accused Moldova’s government of trying to “destroy” the region’s autonomy following her detention earlier this week.

Moldova’s National Anticorruption Center announced Wednesday that Gutul was detained Tuesday at Chisinau International Airport as part of a criminal investigation into alleged financial misconduct during the 2023 elections, including illegal campaign funding and document forgery.

“This arrest is not just an attack on me personally, but part of a larger plan by Chisinau to dismantle our autonomy,” Gutul wrote in an address to the Gagauz people, shared on Telegram.

She claimed that Moldovan authorities have pressured her for two years with fabricated cases, coerced testimonies, and threats. Gutul alleged she was offered freedom in exchange for stepping down and leaving Gagauzia.

“What PAS (Party of Action and Solidarity) and President Maia Sandu are doing is an open insult and violation of our legal rights. Their actions directly threaten Gagauz autonomy,” she said, adding that Moldova aims to impose a state of emergency and external control over the region.

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