Bashkan Gutsul Jailed, Moldova Alleges that Russia Aided in the Escape of Wanted MP

April 1st, 2025

This week we have a fairly action packed set of developments - all related to Ilan Shor and his proxies in Moldova. Today we’re going to focus on these stories and later in the week we’ll catch up with other news to round out the Weekly Roundup.

Bashkan Evghenia Gutsul Arrested and Jailed

On March 25th Bashkan Gutsul was detained by anti-corruption officers (CNA) while trying to board a flight to Istanbul. Her detention coincided with new searches by CNA targeting the Deputy Mayor of Orhei who had served as Gutsul’s campaign finance manager when she ran for office in 2023. Prosecutors allege that the Bashkan, working through her finance manager, "instigated and organized" the falsification of donation documents on behalf of individuals to her campaign. They allege that this resulted in 370,000 lei in illicit donations.

CNA officers detain the Bashkan at the airport. Image source CNA facebook

Prosecutors petitioned the judge to extend her 72 hour preventative arrest to 30 days. In the petition the prosecutors linked the request both to the new case involving the 2023 election as well as the one where she is currently mid-trial which relates to additional illicit political financing in the years 2019-2022. In their arguments prosecutors stated:

"The event that Evghenia Guțul claimed she was going to attend between March 25-30, 2025 in Istanbul, Turkey, was not actually planned,"

They say that the whole event was simply a fabrication and a pretext so that she would not have to face new charges and appear in court. They allege that, while she did possess a return ticket, she did not actually plan on returning to Moldova. Additionally prosecutors presented information that her plane tickets were purchased by 2 Russian citizens in Moscow. Prosecutors and CNA stated that some of the information about her conference and alleged flight risk were provided to them by the Security and Information Service (SIS).

Bashkan Gutsul’s lawyers deny that she was attempting to flee and claim that she had every intention of returning to Moldova after the conference.

After consideration the judge granted the prosecutors’ request but allowed for 20 days pre-trial detention not the 30 requested. Prosecutors will likely seek to extend this under the theory that she continues to present a flight risk.

Unprecedented Step

While Evghenia Gutsul has been on trial for some time, this is the first time that a sitting Bashkan has been arrested and jailed. According to Gagauzia’s Code¹ First Deputy Bashkan Ilya Uzun will take over Gutsul’s role while she is temporarily unable to fulfill her duties. What happens next is somewhat unclear, but if she is convicted she will likely be dismissed and a new election for Bashkan will be held. In the meantime, Ilya Uzun will act in her stead unless she is let out on pre-trial release - in which case she will resume her duties while juggling her various court dates.

Gutsul Appeals to Putin… and Trump

From behind bars the Bashkan has sent letters asking for support via her lawyers. She first appealed to Vladimir Putin calling him someone who "has always supported justice" and saying:

"On behalf of the Gagauz people, who have never betrayed their historical friends, we ask you, esteemed Vladimir Vladimirovich, to use the entire arsenal of diplomatic, political and legal mechanisms to exert pressure on the Moldovan authorities for the immediate cessation of political repressions and my release as soon as possible."

She additionally sent a letter to Donald Trump also appealing for help saying (selection from Newsmaker):

“You are the leader of a great nation, and I am the head of a tiny autonomous region. But we have something in common: we were both elected by the people, despite the propaganda efforts and pressure from corrupt globalist elites. I am writing to you, Mr. President, from behind the bars of Moldova’s Prison No. 13, where I am being held on trumped-up charges, and I appeal to you as a defender of democratic values. (…) Today, Gagauzia is facing unprecedented pressure from the Moldovan authorities, who, under the guise of “fighting corruption,” are destroying the political opposition and trampling on the rights and autonomy of our people. (…) Today, we appeal to you for moral and political support. Your leadership can help prevent this situation from sliding into a new civil conflict and put an end to the escalation caused by the Moldovan authorities. We believe that a firm position by the United States can force Chisinau to stop undermining the legitimate foundations of our autonomy, stop politically motivated persecution, and release those illegally detained,”

She further called on Trump to “use all available diplomatic means to prevent this crisis from deepening and to protect the right of the Gagauz people to self-government.”

Additionally the Bashkan drew a comparison between her situation and the Romanian government barring Călin Georgescu from that country’s presidential election. The language of the letter was clearly meant to draw attention in a similar manner as Elon Musk and JD Vance have embroiled themselves in Romanian politics.

The Bashkan posted her letter to Trump in English on X. She also tagged various members of the Trump administration, Congress and the American press in her post.

Kremlin Reactions

Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov condemned the arrest saying that it violates “the principle of political pluralism and democracy." Peskov was recently reported to have a close personal connection to Ilan Shor by RISE and was photographed attending parties as the fugitive oligarch’s Moscow mansion.

Russian state TV has actively taken up the Bashkan’s cause and prominently reported on “protests” outside the Moldovan Embassy in Moscow calling for her release. At these demonstrations “protestors” displayed signs with “down with Maia Sandu” and other time honored favorites from the Shor repertoire.

News outlet OneTV released an investigation after they infiltrated a whatsapp chat used by organizers of the protest. In it they found that participants were being assured that "The event is approved by the Moscow government" and promised payment of 2000 rubles (~$23) for 5 hours of protesting.

In their investigation they found that the protest was organized by Moldovan footballer Radu Cosciug, formerly of the Milsami Orhei Football Club², who wrote:

"There will be 10 groups of 50 people each. There will be a responsible person for each group. The money will be given to each of you individually, after the event. We don't tell anyone about the money, tomorrow we will all work as if it were "for free"

They additionally presented video showing organizers distributing money after the event.

In response to news of the protests the Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated:

"We are glad that Moldovans are teaching Russians the culture of protest. We cannot help but notice that it is the only protest allowed by the Russian authorities,"

Minister Popșoi further brushed off Peskov’s condemnation saying:

"The Russian leadership has begun to openly defend criminal groups in the Republic of Moldova. The Kremlin regime, which persecutes the opposition and kills inconvenient politicians, is not in a position to offer lessons in democracy."

Opposition Reactions

Igor Dodon, the Socialists and representatives of the Pobeda Block and other Shor-linked parties all condemned the arrest of Gutsul and made various statements calling it “illegal” and politically motivated. Ilan Shor claimed that the arrest was part of a larger story of “increased repression against Pobeda, against the bloc's parties, against our supporters” and he sought to paint Gutsul as a helpless victim calling her a “fragile girl” and a “young mother.”

Joining the condemnation were representatives of the allegedly pro-European Alternative Block and Irina Vlah. Both condemned the arrest and alleged political motivations related to the upcoming parliamentary elections.

SIS Claims that Russia Helped Alexandr Nesterovschi Escape Moldova

Following last week’s news that Alexandr Nesterovschi vanished immediately before being sentenced to 12 years in prison… and immediately after obtaining Russian citizenship… we now have some more clarity about the timeline of events. SIS Director Alexandru Musteața reported to parliament how the convicted MP escaped to Transnistria. He stated:

"SIS has confirmed information that Russia helped Nesterovschi evade law enforcement. On March 18, at 8:15 p.m., the day before the sentencing, Alexandr Nesterovschi was documented entering the territory of the Russian Embassy in Chisinau. Later, on the morning of March 19, 2025, he was transported in a car with Russian diplomatic plates to the Transnistrian region, where he remains to this day, under the direct protection of Russian special services. Accordingly, at the time of the sentencing, Nesterovschi was already in the territory on the left bank of the Nistru River (…). Russian Embassy employees carefully coordinated the movement of this transport. The respective actions represent a Russian operation.”

He went on to detail a series of movements, fake stops and other evasive tactics that went into the escape. SIS showed security video recordings of Nesterovschi entering the Embassy and confirmed that they had detained his driver who confessed to delivering him there.

Meanwhile, Shor MP Irina Lozovan was sentenced to 6 years in prison and her husband was sentenced to 5 years. Last week we wrote how she had also vanished and now ZdG confirms that she too was outside of Moldovan controlled territory by March 21st and was in the same place as Nesterovschi - apparently Transnistria. She and her husband have also been added to the international wanted list.

The Russian Embassy has denied playing any part in the fugitive’s escape and when confronted with the video Russia’s Ambassador-designate³ Oleg Ozerov stated "in the era of artificial intelligence, anything is possible." Transnistria’s “authorities” also officially denied that any fugitives were hiding on their territory.

Moldova’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Russian Ambassador-designate and ordered 3 Russian diplomats expelled from Moldova.

Asked about how Moldova will get the fugitives back President Sandu stated that it would be difficult saying:

"Obviously, now the regime in the Transnistrian region is involved and of course the Government has requested that the person in question [Alexandr Nesterovschi] be transported to the right bank so that he can be sanctioned as the judges' decision corresponds to. It will not be easy, because you realize that the regime in Tiraspol is constantly in close contact with the Russian Federation and will try to avoid the transfer of this character,"

On March 27th Chance Party leader Alexei Lungu was stopped at the airport by CNA officers and prevented from leaving the country. He has not been indicted but was informed by CNA that he needed to report to their police station to be informed that he is now a suspect in a criminal case.

A Major Escalation? Or Something Else…?

Taken together the events of the last week have been… dramatic. The Bashkan of Gagauzia has been jailed for the first time. We’ve had 3 escapes - with at least one being allegedly orchestrated by the Russian security services. Shor linked politicians are being detained at the airport left and right and let’s not forget about that “bomb threat” at the Russian Embassy which necessitated that the building be urgently searched.

Without knowing more about the evidence that SIS produced which allegedly showed that the Bashkan is a flight risk, it’s hard to know what’s going on. Let’s summarize a few things that we do know / can surmise:

1. Alexandr Nesterovschi and Irina Lozovan are gone. If they made it to Transnistria they won’t be sent back to Chisinau. Unless something major changes they have escaped their prison sentences⁴.

2. Bashkan Gutsul was not imminently going to be sentenced to prison. The prosecution recently rested their case after a year of trial. That included hearing of 20 witnesses. The defense will now begin their case and has implied that they hope to call more than 100 witnesses. If past it prologue they will be able to drag this case out for at least a year - perhaps many years. Given this fact, and the fact that she has young kids at home, prosecutors will likely face an up hill battle convincing the judge that she is a high flight risk.

3. We’ve seen this song and dance before. Prosecutors request 30 days pre-trial detention, sometimes a judge will extend it for another 30 or 60 days. Eventually though the court case drags on and on and the defendant moves to house arrest. After that, to judicial control (bail basically). Eventually that is relaxed so they can travel freely inside and outside the country (Marina Tauber is evidently traveling abroad right now). There is a clear pattern whereby prosecutors are unable to convince judges to keep people in pre-trial detention for long.

Taken together it is unclear if all of this represents major changes in how the authorities are pursuing these cases or simply more of the same. It will be critical to watch what happens to Gutsul over the next month. If she does stay in detention, or if the new judicial case is brought quickly, then that would send a strong signal that the light hand that continues to result in escapes is no longer being tolerated. If she’s moved to house arrest in the near future we know that nothing has changed.

1. This is basically the autonomous region’s constitution

2. FC Milsami has contested this report saying that: “The Milsami Orhei club states that a person named Radu Cosciug does not work and has never worked for the club in any capacity.”

Their complaint seems to be based on a technicality as Radu Cosciug was a player affiliated with the club before it was purchased by Shor who changed the name. Back in 2021 Newsmaker obtained recordings of a phone call where Radu Cosciug attempted to bribe voters on behalf of Shor. Cosciug lives in Moscow and has previously been reported to be affiliated with Shor’s FC Milsami (reports they did not push back on at the time).

3. The Russian Ambassador to Moldova has not yet had his credentials accepted. This process is being delayed as a sort of diplomatic protest against Russia’s behavior.

4. At the same time they are not going to be able to easily escape Transnistria. That is its own kind of prison as anyone who has tried to buy a decent coffee in Tiraspol will tell you.