Before being elected governor of the Gagauz autonomy, Evghenia Gutul played a significant role in the illegal funding network of the former Shor Party using money from Russia. Although she now leads the autonomy, prosecutors opened a criminal case against her, which has been under court review for nearly six months. Details about the charges and her accomplices are included in an investigation by the portal „Cu Sens”.
The protest in front of the Presidency took place after Marina Tauber’s parliamentary immunity was lifted on July 21, 2022. Tauber faced arrest for falsifying the Shor Party’s financial report for the first half of 2022. She declared expenses of just 1.7 million lei, but the real amount was 12 times higher, as reported by disinfo.md.
Prosecutors revealed that the crowd supporting Tauber had been paid. Each protester allegedly received 400 lei, with transportation costs also covered. During this period, Evghenia Gutul managed Shor Party offices, verifying lists, confirming participants, and coordinating payments for protesters. This activity occurred between September and November 2022.
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“This criminal organization kept detailed records, listing how many people they brought to protests and the corresponding payments,” stated Veronica Dragalin, head of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office. She estimated total spending exceeded 42 million lei, including salaries and protest organization costs.
In April 2024, the case involving Evghenia Gutul reached the Chisinau Court, Buiucani Branch. Alongside Gutul, Svetlana Popan faces charges for knowingly accepting 9.7 million lei in illegal funding. Popan, who held a similar position to Gutul within the Shor Party, ran for parliament on July 11, 2021. Both defendants deny the accusations.
Gutul criticized the case as fabricated and politically motivated. “We all understand very well whose orders are being followed, but we remain undefeated,” she stated. Popan added, “I am not guilty and do not understand the accusations against me.”
This case stems from a broader investigation into the Shor Party’s illegal funding, initiated in January 2022. Additional cases involving 20 individuals are expected. Meanwhile, Tauber and other implicated figures have continued their political activities.