Police in Moldova detained the leader of the pro-Russian Gagauz ethnic minority at Chisinau's international airport following the mysterious disappearance of two other wanted pro-Russian lawmakers. Eugenia Gutul, the leader, or bashkan, of Gagauzia, is being held for 72 hours in the capital, according to Angela Starinschi, an official with Moldova's Anti-Corruption Centre. The detention is part of an ongoing criminal case.
Gagauzia, a region in southern Moldova with a population of 140,000, is predominantly made up of ethnic Turks who favor strong ties with Russia and adhere to Orthodox Christianity. Since Moldova gained independence in 1991, the region has had a tumultuous relationship with central authorities.
Moldova has a complex history, having been part of the Russian Empire, "greater Romania," and the Soviet Union over the past 150 years. President Maia Sandu currently leads the country, aiming for EU membership by 2030. Sandu has condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine and accused the Kremlin of attempting to destabilize her government.
Gutul, a vocal critic of the Moldovan government, was elected bashkan in 2023 with support from a fugitive business magnate sentenced to 15 years in prison for the embezzlement of $1 billion from Moldovan banks. She has previously met with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin.
Gutul's election has never been acknowledged by Sandu, and she faces charges of corruption and financing a political bloc led by Shor from exile in Russia. Her detention comes after the unexplained disappearance of pro-Russian parliamentarian Alexandr Nesterovschi, who was sentenced to 12 years in prison on similar corruption charges. A second lawmaker, Irina Lozovan, who is awaiting a verdict on similar charges, has also vanished.
Both Nesterovschi and Lozovan were associated with Shor, who aims to utilize his "Victory" bloc to elect pro-Russian lawmakers in a parliamentary election later this year. Moldovan authorities accuse Shor of channeling significant funds into the country to manipulate elections.