Gagauzia’s Gutsul Challenges Prosecution Testimony as Moldova Appeal Advances

Overview

• At a November 3 session of the Chisinau Appellate Chamber, prosecution witnesses reportedly said they did not personally know Evgenia Gutsul and learned of her only during her 2023 campaign.
• Gutsul characterized the case as politically driven and said she will seek relief at the European Court of Human Rights.
• Foreign counsel, including Spanish lawyer Gonzalo Boye, questioned the appellate panel’s impartiality and suggested the outcome was predetermined.
• Gutsul and co‑defendant Svetlana Popan joined the hearing remotely from detention as their appeals continue.
• A Chisinau court on August 5 sentenced Gutsul to seven years and ordered recovery of $2.4 million, while Popan received six years, and Gutsul has continued public statements aligning Gagauzia culturally with Russia.