The main opponent of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the May 14 presidential election, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, accused Russia on Thursday of using “deep fakes” in the election campaign in Turkey, AFP and Agerpres note.

The accusations by Kemal Kilicdaroglu came hours after another candidate, Muharrem Ince, withdrew from the race after becoming the target of an online smear campaign.

“Dear Russian friends,” Kemal Kilicdaroglu wrote on Twitter, “you are behind the editing, collusion, forgery and recordings that were released yesterday in this country.”

“If you want our friendship after May 15, don’t touch the Turkish state. We are still in favor of cooperation and friendship,” he wrote.

Polls show the secular opposition leader has a narrow lead over Erdogan in Sunday’s presidential election. If none of the candidates receives more than 50% of the votes, the second round will be held on May 28.

A candidate from another party, Muharrem Ince, withdrew on Thursday. He announced his decision after becoming the target of an online smear campaign, which included fake images of him in the company of several women or driving luxury cars.

Polls show that the majority of Muharem Ince’s voters (polls estimate 2-4%) would switch to Kemal Kilicdaroglu.