Following a trial in Chisinau, Evghenia Gutul, a regional head in Moldova, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for illegally facilitating financial support to the pro-Kremlin Shor Party. The court found Gutul guilty of systematically channeling funds from Russia to Moldova between 2019 and 2022, a period during which the party was still active. The Shor Party, which has been banned for its pro-Russian stance, was accused of receiving significant financial backing from Moscow, raising concerns about the influence of external actors in Moldovan politics.
The conviction underscores the ongoing challenges Moldova faces in balancing its relationships with both Russia and the West. Since gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Moldova has struggled with economic instability and political fragmentation. While the country has made strides in aligning with European institutions, the recent ruling signals that Moscow continues to exert pressure through financial means. This case also highlights the broader implications for Moldova’s sovereignty and its ability to resist external interference in its domestic affairs.