Moldovan Court Hearing Sparks Protest Over Gagauzia Governor's Case

Court Hearing in Moldova Highlights Challenges to Gagauzia's Leadership A court hearing in Chisinau, Moldova, on June 4, 2025, focused on the case of Evgeniya Guțul, the Bashkan (governor) of Gagauzia, and activist Svetlana Popan. The defense attorney, Sergiu Moraru, argued that a law prohibiting criminal organizations from funding political parties is unconstitutional, citing its vagueness and potential for misuse against political opponents. "The law is unclear and unpredictable," Moraru stated, "it can be arbitrarily applied against any member of a party." The hearing was marked by protests outside the courthouse, with numerous supporters of Guțul expressing their concern about what they see as politically motivated charges. The next hearing is scheduled for June 6th. The case has been ongoing for over a year, highlighting tensions between the Gagauzian authorities and the central government in Chisinau. The video footage shows the intensity of the situation, with both supporters of Guțul and representatives of the opposing party present at the courthouse. The protests underscore the importance of the case and its wider political implications for Moldova.