CHISINAU, March 27. /TASS/. The Moldovan authorities plan to introduce a state of emergency and implement external administration in Gagauzia, the head of the autonomous region, Yevgenia Gutsul, has warned in an address to residents.
"It is no longer a secret that Chisinau intends to impose a state of emergency in Gagauzia and establish external administration. They are prepared to install their protege - one of those who has betrayed the interests of the Gagauz people. Among these traitors is Sergey Chernev, a representative of the Chisinau State Chancellery in Comrat, who previously worked for many years with Vladimir Plahotniuc's Democratic Party," she stated in an appeal sent through her lawyers. The full text is available on Gutsul's Telegram channel.
Gutsul further asserted that her arrest was part of Chisinau’s plan to undermine the autonomy. "Now that I am behind bars on fabricated charges, I have repeatedly been offered a cessation of my criminal prosecution in exchange for resigning and leaving the country immediately," Gutsul said in her appeal to the residents, relayed through her legal representatives. She urged members of the People's Assembly (the autonomy's parliament) to demonstrate firmness and unity.
Gutsul was detained on March 25 at Chisinau airport, despite having traveled to Russia, Turkey, and other countries for business on numerous occasions prior. The following day, the Moldovan National Anti-Corruption Center announced that prosecutors would charge her and seek court approval for her arrest as a preventive measure. The Moldovan authorities are attempting to accuse Gutsul of involvement in financial irregularities linked to the Gagauz elections, which they allege were orchestrated by the opposition Sor party. Gutsul has dismissed these allegations as unfounded, asserting that they are orchestrated by Moldovan President Maia Sandu.
Special status of Gagauzia
The proclamation of the Republic of Gagauzia on August 19, 1990, triggered a conflict that Chisinau initially attempted to resolve by force, but Soviet troops intervened to prevent bloodshed. Subsequently, representatives from Chisinau and Comrat entered negotiations, culminating in the Moldovan Parliament’s adoption of a law granting special status to the Gagauz autonomy in December 1994. Tensions between Comrat and Chisinau escalated once more following Gutsul's election victory as an opposition representative. After her victory, she announced her intention to strengthen the region's ties with Russia and criticized Chisinau’s confrontational policies toward Moscow.