The Council of the European Union on Monday adopted restrictive measures against five individuals and one entity responsible for actions destabilizing the Republic of Moldova. The new listings include “Evghenia Guţul, who is the Governor (‘Bashkan’) of the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia, and is responsible for promoting separatism in that region, thereby attempting to overthrow the constitutional order and threatening the sovereignty and independence of Moldova,” IPN reports.
The listings also include other individuals for their destabilizing actions in Gagauzia: Mihail Vlah, the deputy to the Bashkan and media relations advisor, Iurii Cuzneţov, the deputy head of department for external affairs of the region, and Illia Uzun, the deputy president of the executive committee and member of the Gagauz National Assembly.
Evrazia, a Russia-based non-governmental association whose goal is to promote Russia’s interests abroad, including in Moldova, is also sanctioned, as well as its director and founder, Nelli Parutenco, former accountant of Ilan Shor’s party.
According to the Council’s decision, those targeted are subject to an asset freeze and a prohibition on the provision of funds or economic resources to them, directly or indirectly. Additionally, the sanctioned individuals are subject to travel bans to the European Union. Restrictive measures under this regime now apply to a total of 16 individuals and 2 entities.
“Moldova faces massive direct attempts from Russia to destabilize the country, as well as challenges arising from Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. This is a direct threat to a sovereign country, to its democratic life, to its path towards the European Union. The EU will continue providing all its support to the legitimate aspirations of the Moldovan people. Today’s listings are yet another contribution to the resilience of Moldova,” said Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
