Evghenia Gutul, the elected Head (Baskan) of the Gagauz Autonomous Region in southern Moldova, has released a book written during her imprisonment titled “The Gutul Case. Anatomy of Political Persecution.”
The publication contains 30 letters written from prison, describing what she characterizes as growing political pressure from Moldova’s central authorities against Gagauzia and opposition figures.
According to the publication, the letters are available for free download in English, Turkish, and Russian at www.egutul.com.
The book details Gutul’s account of her arrest, subsequent detention, and alleged procedural violations during the legal proceedings against her.
The release has drawn attention from international legal observers. Lawyer Gonzalo Boye described the collection as “ready-made evidence of political repression in Moldova,” criticizing the conditions of Gutul’s imprisonment and raising concerns over the treatment of an elected politician and mother of two children.
The book also focuses on broader domestic political developments in Moldova, arguing that democratic norms and European values are being undermined despite the country’s status as a candidate for membership in the European Union. Gutul claims that the rights and autonomy of Gagauzia are increasingly being restricted by the authorities in Chișinău.
In the letters, Gutul discusses the legal proceedings that led to her detention, alleging that the trials were politically motivated and that the outcome had been predetermined. International lawyers cited in the text reportedly documented multiple procedural irregularities.
Gutul was elected Head of Gagauzia in 2023 as an opposition candidate. According to the publication, tensions escalated after Moldovan authorities refused to recognize the election outcome and demanded that she relinquish her mandate. Criminal investigations were later initiated against her, culminating in her detention following more than a year of legal proceedings.
The letters also contain personal reflections on imprisonment, including the emotional impact of separation from her family and young children, as well as descriptions of psychological pressure in detention.
Gutul concludes the book with an appeal to the international community, journalists, and civil society organizations to monitor developments in Gagauzia and continue discussing the situation publicly.
