Leader of restive Moldova region tells Putin local rights being crushed

"The pro-Russian leader of Moldova's restive Gagauzia region told Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin on Wednesday that the country's central authorities were systematically crushing her region's political and economic rights.
Gagauzia, in Moldova's south, is increasingly at odds with Moldova's pro-European President Maia Sandu over the election last year of Eugenia Gutul as "bashkan", or leader. Gutul has close ties to fugitive pro-Russian businessman Ilan Shor.
Sandu is seeking European Union membership for her country and identifies Russia as the biggest threat to its sovereignty.
Gutul has been in Russia since last week, when she asked the head of parliament's upper house for support for her region.
"I told (Putin) about the illegal actions of Moldova's authorities who are taking revenge on us for our civic positions and for standing by our national interests," Gutul wrote on Telegram alongside a photo of her shaking hands with Putin.
"Chisinau is taking away our rights step by step, limiting the budget, violating our legal rights provoking instability and destabilization in Gagauzia and throughout the country." MS