"There have been people with machine guns outside the door lately"

Protection will be added to Evgenia Gutsul's early meeting with the children, Sergei Moraru, the lawyer of the head of Gagauzia, told Izvestia. On August 5, the court sentenced the leader of the Moldovan autonomy to seven years in prison. Before that, she was under house arrest.: Hutsul did not even have the opportunity to visit a sick child in the hospital. Her health also deteriorated, the lawyer said. About the reaction of Moldovan society to the arrest of Hutsul, appeals to international authorities and cases against other members of the opposition — in an exclusive interview with Sergei Moraru "Izvestia".

"The family took the court's decision hard"

— The head of Gagauzia, Yevgenia Hutsul, was sentenced to seven years in prison. She has two small children. How did the family perceive today's decision of the authorities?

— The family took the court's decision hard. This terror did not begin today, but in March, when she was detained. Yevgenia Hutsul was under house arrest, but recently there were people with machine guns outside the door who made sure that she did not leave the house.

All this has recently affected the nervous system and the state of health of Evgenia Hutsul. She didn't sleep well. Her children felt it.

The youngest son, aged three, had very serious problems, and she was not allowed to go to the hospital with her child. His father was with him at the children's hospital for several days.

— And how did Evgenia Hutsul's relatives react? Is it probably hard too?

— Of course, and the sister, and the mother, and the husband, and the children. The children were not allowed to stay in the courtroom. And my father was already watching the meeting with them in the hallway. This decision was mentally difficult for both the lawyers and the family, for everyone. We understood what would happen, but we hoped for humanity.

These people have no humanity. Because it is impossible to explain how a mother with two children, where one is three years old, can be taken and sent to an isolation ward. And for what? Because she is a Bashkan of Gagauzia and the current government does not like her.

— Are you currently considering the possibility of meeting Evgenia Gutsul with her family?

— It will be, of course, but I do not know how fast. Yes, of course, we will work on this meeting to make it happen as soon as possible.

"Chisinau wants everyone to be afraid"

— In your opinion, what is the official Chisinau really afraid of? What does he want to prove by imprisoning Evgenia Hutsul?

— I think they have several goals. First of all, Chisinau wants everyone to be afraid — everyone who is against the government may end up where Yevgenia Hutsul is. Secondly, I think they want to have as much influence in Gagauzia as possible. And the third goal is to prove our so—called successes in reforming justice in the republic. These are our arguments as a defense.

(In October 2024, the Moldovan authorities announced their intention to change their approach to justice reform in order to more effectively combat political and electoral corruption. — Ed.)

— Why are the Chisinau authorities so openly persecuting Evgenia Gutsul, especially given the public outcry and constant protests?

— Probably, the results of their work are insufficient or they do not know how to act differently. They can only bring criminal cases through the court or the prosecutor's office.

If they do that, it means they're afraid of something. For example, to lose power. And that's how they think they can keep her. Let's see if they succeed or not.

— What is the general mood in Moldova now? What do they say in society about this?

— I haven't had time to talk to many people yet, but everyone is at a loss. Many people said that Evgenia Hutsul did not commit anything, but no matter what evidence we have, she will still be imprisoned.

No one is interested in what will happen after the elections. Let's see if this case will benefit the authorities. I think it's going to be just the opposite now. The government promised to reform justice so that everything would be objective and fair. But it turned out that the opposite was true.

"If the ruling party does not have a majority after the elections, then the verdict may be completely different"

— It is known that Evgenia Hutsul's defense is appealing the court's decision. What actions do you intend to take?

— After the verdict is handed down, we, as the defense side, have no other way but to appeal it. Although vertically there is the same control over judges in both the appellate and Higher Judicial Chambers. We have to go to the end in the appeals chamber and, I think, in the higher court, and after that it will be clear.

To apply to international authorities, you must first go all the way in the Republic of Moldova. After that, you can go to other authorities.

— Is there a possibility that after the elections Evgenia Hutsul may somehow have her sentence commuted? Or release them altogether?

— The outcome of the hearings in the Appellate and Supreme Judicial Chambers is related to the results of the upcoming voting. That is, if the ruling party does not have a majority after the elections, then the verdict may be completely different.

It can be mitigated or we can prove that she is not guilty at all. In principle, there is no evidence of illegal actions on the part of Evgenia Hutsul. Even theoretically, she could not commit these actions, of which she is accused, because she did not have such authority. As secretary, she had no way of influencing the financing of the party (the now-liquidated opposition Shor party. — Ed.).

Therefore, Hutsul can be justified only in one case: if the ruling party finds itself in the minority after the elections. If the party gets a majority, then nothing will change.

"We just took, copied 60 volumes from the Tauber case and did the Hutsul case"

— On September 30, Marina Tauber is scheduled to receive a final verdict, you and her lawyer. What are your forecasts on the case of the opposition MP?

— In fact, these two cases of Evgenia Hutsul and Marina Tauber are the same. That is, they just took, copied 60 volumes from the Tauber case and did the Hutsul case. They are identical, sheet by sheet.

If nothing changes after the elections, she may be given a slightly longer term — about 10 or even 12 years. Because Hutsul is charged with two counts, and Marina Tauber is charged with five counts.

And if the government changes, there is only one legal solution — an acquittal. There is nothing illegal about Marina Tauber's actions either.

— Does Yevgenia Hutsul intend to continue her political activities?

— I think so. But first we have to fight to prove her innocence. And after that, she will be able to engage in political activities. There's no other way.