Moldova is stepping up investigations into pro-Russian political structures
Kyiv • UNN
Moldovan authorities are stepping up investigations into pro-Russian politicians following the detention of the head of Gagauzia. She is suspected of corruption related to the financing of the pro-Russian bloc.
Moldovan authorities have expanded the investigation into the financing of banned pro-Russian political groups. This is reported by Reuters, reports UNN.
Details
This happened two days after the high-profile detention of the head of the autonomous region of Gagauzia, Yevgenia Gutul, at Chisinau airport. She is suspected of corruption schemes related to the financing of the electoral bloc led by a pro-Russian fugitive businessman.
Gutul's detention provoked a sharp reaction from Moscow. The hostile authorities condemned Chisinau's actions and called for her release, appealing to President Putin. However, the speaker of the Moldovan parliament, Igor Grosu, rejected the criticism, stating that it was an internal affair of the country and that "Russia should not interfere in the justice processes in Moldova."
In Gagauzia, a region with a population of about 140,000 people, historically strong pro-Russian sentiments prevail. Many local residents support Moscow and have tense relations with the central government. After Moldova gained independence, the region has repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with Chisinau's political course.
In addition to Gutul, another pro-Russian politician, Oleksiy Lungu, was stopped at the airport and banned from leaving the country. Meanwhile, two other corruption suspects, deputies, have disappeared, and law enforcement officials suggest that one of them may be hiding in the Russian embassy.
All these figures are connected with Ilan Shor, a pro-Russian businessman who received a 15-year prison term for his involvement in the disappearance of a billion dollars from the Moldovan banking system. The authorities suspect that he was channeling funds to undermine political stability and promote pro-Russian forces on the eve of the parliamentary elections.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu, who is leading the country on a course towards integration into the EU, strongly condemns the Kremlin's interference in internal affairs. She has never recognized Gutul's election as Bashkan of Gagauzia and has repeatedly stated the threat from the Russian Federation, which is trying to destabilize the situation in the country.
Russia has already raised the issue of Gutul's arrest at a closed meeting of the UN Security Council.
