Several hundred people gathered in the central square of Comrat on Sunday.
People came with signs reading:
“Freedom for the Bashkan of Gagauzia – freedom for Evghenia Gutul”
“Moldova – guarantor of Gagauzia or its destroyer?”
“The Bashkan is a political prisoner!”
“We are for independence!”
“We demand that Party of Action and Solidarity comply with the Law on the Special Legal Status of Gagauzia.”
The rally was organized by supporters of autonomy. Anthems of both Moldova and Gagauzia were played. Organizers stressed: this is not separatism, but a demand to comply with the law.
“Gagauzia is a thorn in the throat”
One of the first speakers, Mihail Vlah, spoke bluntly:
“We see enormous pressure on Gagauzia. We see tens of thousands of fines. The Bashkan of Gagauzia is still in prison on politically motivated grounds. A logical question arises: why is this happening?”
According to him, PAS voted for the elimination of mayoralties in villages with fewer than 3,000 residents.
“Before, they limited themselves to closing schools, hospitals, and universities. Now they’ve gone further. The liquidation of the country is not far off. Gagauzia is a thorn in the throat. They have now directed all their forces against it. But I want to say: if Gagauzia is crushed, the country will be destroyed! We will not surrender!”
“People are being intimidated”
Ilya Uzun called on the central authorities not to obstruct democratic elections in Gagauzia:
“People from different districts told us that in Congaz, Vulcanesti, and Ceadîr-Lunga, police tried to prevent them from coming here. I personally saw five police crews in Comrat. People are being intimidated. Thank you all for finding the time and courage to be here!”
He added that authorities are pressuring the autonomy to push through changes and prevent representatives who defend Gagauzia from entering the People’s Assembly.
“They need obedient deputies,” he stressed.
“This line exists only in the central authorities”
Another speaker, Ivan Panya, accused PAS of trying to divide communities:
“They tell us Moldovans and Gagauz must constantly argue, that Gagauz are disliked. But that’s not true. This line exists only in the presidency, government, and parliament. That’s where the line of hostility toward Gagauzia runs. The people do not support this.”
Resolution adopted
The rally ended with a unanimously adopted resolution. Participants demanded:
– the immediate release of Evghenia Gutul;
– elections to the People’s Assembly strictly in accordance with the law on special status;
– condemnation of officials agreeing to hold elections under Moldova’s Electoral Code (which, they argue, contradicts the autonomy law);
– convening a special session to set a new election date.
The resolution also states that the root cause of tensions between the central government and the autonomy is an attempt by ruling forces to suppress the political will and identity of the Gagauz people.
