The top candidate for MP on the list of the Party “Patria” (PPP) Renato Usatyi left Moldova. This fact was made public by the politician by a video placed online last night and was confirmed by representatives of the party in a news conference on November 28. According to them, Usatyi left in order not to be arrested by the authorities after the Appeals Court on November 27 ruled that the Party “Patria” should be excluded from the electoral race for the reason that it used foreign funds in its election campaign and that the money should be confiscated, IPN reports.

PPP candidate Alexandr Petkov said that Usatyi left at 1.20am after he found out that searches and arrests of members of the party and of Renato Usatyi were to be performed in the morning. Searches were indeed carried out this morning, at 14 addresses, including at the homes of members of the party.

According to the politician, the Appeals Court intentionally delayed presenting explanations for its decision to remove the PPP from the electoral race so as to prevent the party from preparing a well-substantiated appeal. However, Alexandr Petkov said that neither Renato Usatyi nor the PPP called and will call the people to armed protests.