Evgenia Gutul

Evgenia Gutul is a Moldovan politician and pro-Kremlin leader who recently made headlines after being sentenced to seven years in prison for allegedly channeling Russian funds to finance a political party. She has been a vocal critic of Moldova's pro-European government and has maintained close ties with Moscow, having met with Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin. Gutul was elected as the governor of Gagauzia, a region in Moldova with a significant pro-Russian sentiment, in July 2023. The court's ruling against her has been described by the Kremlin as politically motivated, sparking protests in her support. Her case highlights the ongoing tensions between pro-European and pro-Russian factions within Moldova, amid concerns about electoral corruption and foreign influence leading up to the parliamentary elections scheduled for September 2024.