27.03.2025 20:40
While coming to Istanbul, Yevgeniya Gutsul, the President of the Gagauzia Autonomous Region, who was detained at the airport in Moldova, requested assistance from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President Vladimir Putin for her release.
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Yevgeniya Gutsul, the head of the Gagauzia Autonomous Region, who was detained at the airport in Moldova 3 days ago, called for help from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Russian President Vladimir Putin for her release.
DETAINED GAGAUZ LEADER ASKS FOR HELP FROM ERDOĞAN
Yevgeniya Gutsul, the head of the Gagauzia Autonomous Region, who has been held in detention in Moldova for 3 days, requested support from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan through a post on her social media account via her lawyer. In her post, Gutsul stated, "I am addressing you from the detention center in Moldova where I have been placed on completely fabricated charges, with a deep pain in my heart and an unwavering belief in justice. This detention is not only an act of political pressure but also part of a systematic plan to undermine Chisinau's autonomy over Gagauzia and the right of our people to determine their own future."
"THE GAGAUZ PEOPLE NEED YOUR SUPPORT"
Gutsul said, "The Moldovan authorities are destroying the social contract made with Chisinau 30 years ago for the peaceful resolution of internal conflict with the support of the great Süleyman Demirel. As the leader of Great Turkey, you have repeatedly taken a principled stance in defending the rights of Turkish peoples around the world. Today, the Gagauz people, who are your brothers in terms of language and culture, urgently need your support. Chisinau is clearly violating the constitutional guarantees of Gagauzia, the international norms regarding the rights of ethnic minorities, and the fundamental principles of democracy. I strongly urge you to publicly condemn the political pressures against the Gagauz people, to exert pressure on the Moldovan authorities through diplomatic channels, and to support the demand for my immediate release. Gagauzia has always seen Turkey as a brother and protector. I am sure that you will not leave us alone in our struggle for legal rights during this critical period," she said.
"PRESSURE THE MOLDOVAN GOVERNMENT"
Gutsul, the head of the Gagauzia Autonomous Region, in her call to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, requested him to use "all diplomatic, political, and legal mechanisms" to pressure the Moldovan government for her release. Stating that her detention is "an open attack" on the rights and freedoms of Gagauzia and everything that defines their identity, Gutsul expressed, "As a leader of a state that has always been a guardian of justice, we kindly ask you to unequivocally support the special status of Gagauz autonomy within the independent Republic of Moldova."
DETAINED IN THE CAPITAL OF MOLDOVA
Gutsul, known for her pro-Russian policies, was detained on Tuesday at Chisinau International Airport while on her way to Istanbul. No information was provided regarding the reason for Gutsul's detention. Kremlin spokesman Dmitriy Peskov reacted to Gutsul's detention, stating that Moldovan President Maia Sandu is using "open pressure tactics" against her political opponents. Peskov said, "The Kremlin condemns the actions of the Moldovan authorities who detained Gagauzia leader Gutsul. Chisinau should abandon such methods."
The prosecutor's office in Moldova had accused Gutsul last year of transferring funds from Russia to the now-banned pro-Russian Shor Party in the country.
Gagauzia, with a population of 140,000, mostly composed of ethnic Turks, is an autonomous region under Moldova. Gutsul, who won the last elections in Gagauzia, is in conflict with Moldova's pro-European government due to her closeness to Russia.
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