Cypriot authorities are investigating the death of a senior Russian Embassy official in Nicosia after being refused access to the scene and told the man died by suicide.
The case began unfolding at midday last Thursday when the man was found dead inside his office, according to sources. Cypriot authorities were notified several hours after the discovery.
When police arrived at the embassy, they were not permitted to enter the building. The body was handed over to officers in the courtyard of the premises.
Police requested entry to conduct searches at the scene in the dead man’s office, but the request was denied. Embassy staff told police the Russian official died by suicide and had left a note, but the letter was not handed over to Cypriot authorities. The embassy said the letter will be sent to Moscow.
A post-mortem is expected to be conducted today and may provide more answers about the death.
The Foreign Ministry has been informed about the incident, whilst the Republic of Cyprus security services are closely monitoring the case.
