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Ex-Putin aide Mikhail Lesin died of 'blunt force trauma' | Ex-Putin aide Mikhail Lesin died of 'blunt force trauma' |
(about 5 hours later) | |
A former aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was found dead in the US last year, died of blunt force trauma to the head, officials say. | A former aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was found dead in the US last year, died of blunt force trauma to the head, officials say. |
Mikhail Lesin also had blunt force injuries to the neck, torso, arms and legs, Washington DC's chief medical examiner said. | |
The 57-year-old was found at the city's Dupont Circle hotel. | The 57-year-old was found at the city's Dupont Circle hotel. |
Lesin was former Russian press minister and a one-time head of the powerful Gazprom-Media Holding group. | Lesin was former Russian press minister and a one-time head of the powerful Gazprom-Media Holding group. |
After his death, his family members were quoted by Russian media as saying that he had a heart attack. | After his death, his family members were quoted by Russian media as saying that he had a heart attack. |
Media 'censor' | Media 'censor' |
The chief medical examiner provided no further details from the post-mortem examination. | |
Meanwhile, police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck said the case remained under investigation, the Washington Post reported. | Meanwhile, police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck said the case remained under investigation, the Washington Post reported. |
He declined to say whether the post-mortem examination results meant a crime may have been committed. | |
Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow was now expecting "clarification from Washington and relevant official data on the progress of the investigation". | Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow was now expecting "clarification from Washington and relevant official data on the progress of the investigation". |
In 2014, Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker called for an investigation into Lesin, saying his fortune "raises serious questions". | In 2014, Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker called for an investigation into Lesin, saying his fortune "raises serious questions". |
The senator said Lesin had bought property worth $28m (£19.6m) in Los Angeles for his family after finishing work as a civil servant. | The senator said Lesin had bought property worth $28m (£19.6m) in Los Angeles for his family after finishing work as a civil servant. |
Sen Wicker asked how a former civil servant would have been able to buy and maintain expensive property, and expressed concern the purchase may have involved people and groups on a US sanctions list. | Sen Wicker asked how a former civil servant would have been able to buy and maintain expensive property, and expressed concern the purchase may have involved people and groups on a US sanctions list. |
The senator also said Lesin "led the Kremlin's effort to censor Russia's independent television outlets". | The senator also said Lesin "led the Kremlin's effort to censor Russia's independent television outlets". |
Lesin was for a long time considered one of the most influential figures on the Russian media scene and in the corridors of power. | Lesin was for a long time considered one of the most influential figures on the Russian media scene and in the corridors of power. |
He worked as an aide to the presidency between 2004 and 2009, when he helped advise on the creation of the news channel Russia Today (now known as RT). | He worked as an aide to the presidency between 2004 and 2009, when he helped advise on the creation of the news channel Russia Today (now known as RT). |
He resigned from Gazprom-Media in 2014. | He resigned from Gazprom-Media in 2014. |
After his death, President Putin spoke of Lesin's "enormous contribution" to Russian media. | After his death, President Putin spoke of Lesin's "enormous contribution" to Russian media. |