The Pobeda bloc announced the defense's intention to challenge the extension of Hutsul's arrest.

The decision to extend the arrest of the head of the Gagauz Autonomy of Moldova, Evgenia Gutsul, for 20 days will be protested by the defense in the Chisinau Appeals Chamber. Such a statement was published on March 29 in the Telegram channel of the Pobeda political bloc.

"This is an unfair and illegal verdict rendered with gross procedural violations. The prosecutor's office was obliged to hand over the request for arrest at least 24 hours before the end of the detention period, along with evidence of its necessity," the publication says.

Representatives of the political bloc said that a direct violation of the law had been committed during the trial. It is alleged that the documents were received late, and they were handed over to the defense during the meeting. Hutsul protection representatives intend to appeal this decision.

Ilan Shor, leader of the Pobeda opposition bloc, added that the arrest of the head of Gagauzia would be a "nail in the coffin" of the Moldovan authorities. He wrote about this in his Telegram channel.

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, on March 28, the Pobeda bloc expressed categorical protest against the court's decision to keep the head of the Gagauz Autonomy in custody for 20 days and called it a "planned step to increase pressure on dissenters."

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