Multiple reports out of Turkey in recent months have indicated that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s relatives and business and political associates have acquired properties and secured residence permits in other countries as well as transferring some of their wealth abroad, especially to offshore accounts, as part of escape and contingency plans in the event of electoral defeat on May 14.

Some of the countries identified as refuges for cronies of Erdogan who have enriched themselves through embezzlement, kickbacks, corrupt schemes and organized crime are Greece, Spain, Portugal and Montenegro, which offer residency to attract investors under so-called Golden Visa or Golden Passport programs. Some have moved their family members to the US and have been trying to secure residence permits, while others have made preparations in Qatar, ruled by Erdogan ally the al-Thani family.

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To prevent the flight, the Erdogan government reportedly put a secret travel ban in place on some 1,000 people who have been working closely with the regime for years. The Turkish president fears if those people move abroad, they may be amenable to disclosing the dirty dealings they were involved in if they were to come under pressure and create a headache for him and his family. If the word gets out on such an exodus, Erdogan is worried that it may also undermine his re-election campaign and may have repercussions for his regime’s sustainability and future viability if if he wins the elections.

Read more: Nordic Monitor