- Programme
- Moldova
- Designated
- Not published by this authority
- Legal basis
- Ordinance of 28 June 2023 on measures concerning Moldova (RS 946.231.156.5), art. 2 para. 1 (Financial sanctions) and art. 3 para. 1 (Travelban)
- Stated grounds
- Evghenia Guțul is the former Governor (Bashkan) of the Autonomous Territorial Unit (ATU) of Gagauzia in the Republic of Moldova. She previously worked for Ilan Shor’s political party “SHOR” (“ȘOR”), which is now banned, and was involved in its illegal financing. She has proposed several of Shor’s associates to fill positions in Gagauzia’s Executive Committee, despite the fact that those individuals lack ties to Gagauzia. Despite lacking the constitutional competence to do so, as Governor she engaged in a formal visit to the Russian Federation and met Russian President Vladimir Putin. She asked Putin for and received assurance of Russia’s support to Gagauzia’s rights, authority and positions. Since her detention in March 2025, her deputy, Ilia Uzun has been acting Bashkan of ATU Gagauzia, and has been publicly declaring that all matters pertaining to the functioning of the Executive Committee are being coordinated with Evghenia Guțul through her lawyers, even though the law of the Republic of Moldova does not provide for procedures that would allow matters to be coordinated with a former Bashkan once she is no longer performing her duties. By promoting separatism in ATU Gagauzia and close ties to the Russian Federation, Evghenia Guțul is attempting to overthrow the constitutional order, thereby threatening the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova, and democracy, stability and security in the Republic of Moldova.
- Source
- Switzerland SECO Sanctions List
- Last confirmed
- 19 Oct 2026