A political scandal has erupted in Moldova: the head of the Gagauz autonomy, Eugenia Gutsul, was sentenced to 20 days of administrative arrest. She was detained on March 25, 2025, at the Chisinau airport by employees of the National Anti-Corruption Center. As it became known, Gutsul is accused of four articles related to the illegal financing of the election campaign of the pro-Russian party "Shor" in 2023. This incident became another round of tension between the central authorities of Moldova and the leadership of Gagauzia, which advocates rapprochement with Russia.

The arrest took place immediately after Gutsul returned from Moscow, where she met with Russian officials. According to the investigation, during the 2023 election campaign, the Shor party, which is outlawed in Moldova, received significant funds from dubious sources, some of which were allegedly related to the activities of the head of the autonomy. The prosecutor's office claims that Gutsul played a key role in coordinating these financial flows, which was the basis for her arrest. She herself denies the charges, calling them politically motivated and aimed at undermining the autonomy of Gagauzia.

Hutsul’s reaction to the arrest was loud. While in custody, she appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to use all available pressure on Chisinau to secure her release. A similar appeal was sent to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, underscoring the Gagauz leader’s attempt to enlist the support of influential external players. These statements resonated both in Moldova and beyond, fueling speculation about Moscow and Ankara’s involvement in the situation.

The arrest of Hutsul is part of a broader campaign by the Moldovan authorities against pro-Russian forces. After banning the Shor party in 2023, Chisinau stepped up efforts to neutralize its supporters, especially in Gagauzia, where sympathies for Russia are traditionally strong. Moldovan President Maia Sandu has previously spoken of the need to counter “hybrid threats” emanating from Moscow through local political structures. The arrest of the head of the autonomy thus fits into this strategy, although it risks exacerbating the internal conflict in the country.