Judge who sentenced Guțul faces threats and fake funeral hoax
The magistrate who examined the criminal file of the Gagauzian bashkan, Evghenia Guțul, was subjected to a wave of death threats, psychological pressure and attacks of unprecedented severity for several months, claims the president of the Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM), Sergiu Caraman. The intimidation campaign to which Ana Cucerescu was subjected included nighttime phone calls, messages with macabre photos – showing murdered and decapitated people – and spread in the public space through disinformation. The president of the CSM assured that the judges subjected to intimidation will be protected.
“I will tell you about the case of the judge who examined the criminal case filed against Evghenia Guțul. This judge was subjected, for several months, to constant threats, including death threats, sending macabre photos of murdered and decapitated people, repeated phone calls, including at night”, announced Sergiu Caraman, in a press briefing held on Wednesday, August 6.
According to the President of the Supreme Court of Justice, the attacks culminated in the sending of a forged letter to media outlets, in which Judge Ana Cucerescu claimed to be resigning and withdrawing from the case, citing political pressure.
“This letter was nothing more than a forgery”, Caraman pointed out, noting that these actions were aimed at discrediting the act of justice.
Later, another piece of misinformation was disseminated, according to which the magistrate had died, and acquaintances were invited to the alleged funeral.
“In that letter, it was indicated that more details could be obtained from a member of the CSM”, Caraman specified.
A member of the CSM also received similar threats, the cited source added.
“These actions are not only unacceptable. They represent a direct attack on the ability of the judiciary to function impartially and to ensure respect for the law for all citizens. Without this independence, the rule of law collapses, and democracy becomes a mere illusion”, declared the head of the CSM during the same press briefing.
Sergiu Caraman claims that these facts are not isolated, they are part of a coordinated strategy to undermine the judicial system. The CSM has notified the competent law enforcement agencies and promises to cooperate closely to identify and hold accountable those responsible.
In the electoral context, the CSM also condemns political speeches that incite distrust in the judiciary. "When a politician states that a sentence is a political massacre, the limits of legitimate criticism are seriously exceeded and distrust in the judiciary is fueled. It is crucial to understand that the freedom of justice is not a fad. Judges are the pillars of the rule of law. Any attack on them is an attack on every citizen", pointed out Sergiu Caraman.
The President of the Supreme Judicial Council wanted to send a message of support to magistrates who are doing their duty, despite the pressures: "You are not alone. The Council is with you and we will react promptly to protect those who serve the act of justice".
In the same context, Sergiu Caraman was asked whether the CSM has information regarding possible pressure or intimidation against Judge Olga Bejenari, who is handling the criminal case on behalf of Marina Tauber, a close relative of the convicted fugitive Ilan Șor.
"Up to this point, such circumstances have not been complained about or communicated to the Superior Council of Magistracy, including by the judge", Caraman replied.
He said that, if such information is transmitted by the judge, CSM will intervene "in the established order".
Although no complaints were officially filed, Teleradio-Moldova sources say that Judge Bejenari would also face intimidation. The verdict in the Marina Tauber case is due to be pronounced on September 30, 2025, two days after the parliamentary elections, according to a decision adopted by the court on August 4.
The Bashkan of Gagauzia, Evghenia Guțul, was sentenced to seven years in prison on August 5 by the Chișinău Court based in Buiucani. She was found guilty of knowingly accepting illegal financing from an organized criminal group for the benefit of her political party and an electoral competitor.
In the same case, Svetlana Popan, the former secretary of the “Șor” Party, received a six-year prison sentence.
Judge Ana Cucerescu stated that the convicts coordinated secret money transfers from Russia, instructed colleagues to disguise the funds as fictitious donations, and organized large protests in Chișinău, where thousands of participants were compensated with illegal money.
The court also ordered the confiscation of over 40,905,637 lei from Evghenia Guțul's account and 9,748,425 lei from Svetlana Popan, which were funds used to commit their crimes. Both individuals are banned from engaging in political party and financial-accounting activities for five years.
This sentence is not final and can be appealed to the Central Court of Appeal.
