The head of Gagauzia, Evghenia Gutul, will remain in custody after the Chisinau Court of Appeal (Central Division) upheld the March 28 ruling of the Chisinau Court, Ciocana branch, which placed her in preventive detention for 20 days. Gutul attended today's hearing via video conference. Meanwhile, supporters gathered outside the court, demanding her release, IPN reports.

Attorney Sergiu Turcan told the press that the decision was predictable, arguing that two of the judges were temporarily assigned to the Court of Appeal and could risk losing their positions if they ruled against the government. One of the judges recently passed the vetting process, which, in Turcan’s opinion, was not a coincidence.

"Decisions are being made to favor the government for political reasons, rather than based on legal grounds," the defense insisted.

Gutul’s detention was requested by the Chisinau Municipal Prosecutor’s Office.

Additionally, anti-corruption prosecutors had requested a separate preventive detention order in another criminal case, but the Chisinau Court, Buiucani branch, denied the request, citing that Gutul was already detained in a separate case at the time. Prosecutors have announced they will appeal the ruling.

Evghenia Gutul was arrested at Chisinau International Airport on March 25. She is facing charges in two criminal cases: Electoral fraud, including the mismanagement of campaign funds, illegal financing, and false statements during her campaign for the head of Gagauzia and illegal financing of the Shor Party, where she and the Secretary of the party’s central office are accused of facilitating funding from an organized criminal group to support both the party and an electoral candidate.

Gutul pleads not guilty. According to her defense team, she committed no violations, and the charges are politically motivated.