A rally in support of Hutsuls is being held in Moscow near the Moldovan Embassy.

A rally in support of the detained head of Gagauzia, Evgenia Gutsul, is taking place in Moscow near the Moldovan Embassy on Kuznetsky Bridge, an Izvestia correspondent reported from the scene on March 27.

The participants of the action hold posters with photos of the politician. They also carry banners with the words "Gagauzia was arrested, democracy was abolished," "Freedom for political prisoners of Moldova," and "Prisoners of Conscience."

Another poster calls on Moldovan President Maia Sandu to get "away from Gagauzia."

Increased pressure: what will happen to the detention of the head of Gagauzia

Repressions against the opposition have intensified in Moldova, as it advocates improving relations with Moscow.

Earlier that day, Hutsul asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to influence the Moldovan authorities for her early release, as well as to support the autonomous status of Gagauzia. She also stated that the Moldovan authorities are going to introduce a state of emergency in Gagauzia and the external administration of the autonomy.

The detention of the head of the Gagauz autonomy at the Chisinau airport without explanation became known on March 25. The Pobeda block reported that the politician was supposed to fly to Istanbul, where she was scheduled to meet. According to the Moldovan Prosecutor General's Office, Hutsul was detained after her name appeared on the list of persons prohibited from leaving the country.

Later, the head of Gagauzia was taken to the National Anti-Corruption Center (NAC) of Moldova, and her lawyers are with her. The National Center reported that in the near future Hutsul will be formally charged with violating the procedure for managing election funds, illegally financing election competitors and falsifying documents, and prosecutors will ask the court to place her under preliminary arrest.