The source of the information was the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, so comes with the glaring caveat that she is far from the most reliable source of information on this, or indeed any other subject.
"Fearing the resumption of criminal prosecution, Marats Kasems took the opportunity and left the country," Zakharova said on a Sputnik radio broadcast, according to the independent Russian-language web publication "Meduza", which is based in Latvia.
Meanwhile, the TV channel "Current Time" reported that according to Kasem's Facebook page, he is currently staying in Great Britain.
Earlier this year Kasems was fined 15,500 euros for helping Russia in an action directed against Latvia. He had admitted his guilt and paid the fine, and there were no restrictions on him leaving the country.
In May 2019, Kasems was expelled from Lithuania, which declared him persona non grata and banned him from re-entering the country for at least five years.
In 2013, in Latvia's municipal elections, Kasems ran for the seat of a member of the Salaspils Council from the “Harmony Centre” list, but was not elected.
