Piotr Garciu

Comrat-based journalist

Piotr is a freelance journalist based in Comrat, in Moldova's autonomous region of Gagauzia. His work focuses on corruption and disinformation.

Stories by the Author

In the village of Salchia, in southern Moldova, a sign states that the playground was built with funding by Ilan Shor. The fugitive businessman retains significant influence on Moldovan politics despite a sentence in absentia on fraud charges. © Piotr Garciu

Shor: Moscow’s Man in Moldova

Life in exile has not hindered the fugitive magnate’s political powers.

13 Dec 23

Seven grader Elizaveta Chernioglo reads a book in Gagauz at her home in Comrat, the administrative centre of Moldova's autonomous region of Gagauzia. The language struggles for popularity among young Gaguzians who largely speak Russian. © Piotr Garciu

Moldova: Gagauz Language Lags Behind Russian

Numbers of speakers in the country’s autonomous region of Gagauzia are dwindling.

17 Jul 23

On May 22, the Comrat Court of Appeals validated the election of Evghenia Guțul as governor of Moldova’s autonomous region of Gagauzia, after law enforcement agencies detected violations of electoral law, including voter bribery, during the run-off of May 14. © Piotr Garciu

Court Upholds Election of Gagauzia’s Pro-Russian Governor

Even as Chișinău confirms its European path, Evghenia Guțul pledges closer ties with Moscow.

24 May 23

Konstantin, a pensioner from Moldova's autonomous region of Gagauzia, watches a report about the announcement of "partial mobilization" for the war against Ukraine on pro-Kremlin channel Rossiya 24. © Piotr Garchu/IWPR

Russian Propaganda Dominates Moldova’s Gagauzia

Pro-Kremlin narratives rule the information space in an autonomous region with deeply rooted ties to Moscow.

3 Oct 22

Andrey Kolioglo came out in March 2018 and faced widespread harassment. Since March 2022 he lives in France, where he was granted asylum in the wake of the discrimination he faces in his native Moldova.

Coming Out in Gagauzia’s Conservative Society

“Living life with a constant feeling of fear; this is what you have to get used to here if you are gay.”

15 Sep 22

In 2014 Ekaterina moved to Kyiv from Luhansk, in eastern Ukraine. Her older sister, Iryna, stayed behind. When Ekaterina had to flee Ukraine's capital due to shelling Iryna did not believe her accounts about Russians bombing against civilians. © Piotr Garciu

The Sisters Torn Apart by Russia’s Invasion

While some Ukrainians flee shelling and occupation, those living beyond Russian lines do not believe civilians are being targeted.

19 May 22

Breaking the Glass Ceiling in Gagauzia

How a girl’s dream to become a police officer raised the bar of gender equality in a conservative region.

24 Mar 22

A few tents have been set up to provide with immediate assistance to refugees, who are then transported to one of the 78 accommodation centres across the country. © Piotr Garciu

Ukrainians Find Warm Welcome in Moldova

But Europe’s poorest country calls for international aid to accommodate huge influx of refugees.

11 Mar 22

A woman holds the sign "Women are Dying, Ratify the Convention" during a demonstration in front of Moldova's Parliament in the capital Chisinau, ahead of the vote to endorse the Istanbul Convention. © Tatiana Kebak

Moldova Ratifies Istanbul Convention Amid Disinformation and Opposition

Conservative parties obstructed its adoption for supposedly eroding “traditional family values”.

14 Dec 21

The statue of Vladimir Lenin in front of the office of the Chairperson of the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia and the People's Assembly. © IWPR Moldova

Moldova: Gagauzia Elections “Part of Corrupt System”

Analysts say that politicians pander to highly localised interests amid little transparency.

18 Sep 21

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