A businessman whose pro-Russian party was barred from this weekend's elections in Moldova has left the country, saying he feared arrest.
Renato Usatii announced his departure in an online video, and told his supporters not stage violent protests. Border police said he caught a plane to Moscow early Friday.
The Appeals Court ruled against Usatii's Patria party Thursday, saying it could not compete in Sunday's elections because it receives money from abroad.
Usatii denies he receives foreign funding and says the case is politically motivated.
This week, recordings emerged where Usatii appeared to say that he represented Russia's business interests in Moldova.
Usatii, who opposes Moldova joining the European Union and accuses the government of corruption, confirmed the tape was authentic but said he was playing games in the conversation.