Former Russian Press Minister Mikhail Lesin died of injuries to his head as a result of a severe blow to his head, according to Washington DC medical officials cited in several U.S. reports, including a “Washington Post” article.
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Police haven’t said whether they suspect a crime was committed, though it’s not clear what else would explain the blunt force injuries to the Russian’s head, neck, torso, arms, and legs.
Russia Today, the state-funded news channel that Mikhail Lesin had helped to create on behalf of the Kremlin, quoted an unnamed family member as claiming he had passed away from a heart attack after a lengthy illness.
He became chief executive of Gazprom-Media, Russia’s largest media holding company in 2013, a position he held until 2015.
“The Russian Embassy in the United States has repeatedly sent a request through diplomatic channels about the investigation into the death of a Russian citizen”, Zakharova wrote.
The investigation was focused on Lesin’s death, but that did not rule out a possible change to a murder probe, said the source, who declined to be identified when discussing the matter.
The DC police department’s chief spokesperson, Dustin Sternbeck, said Lesin’s death remains under investigation. “No substantial information has been provided”. “We are waiting for clarification from Washington and the relevant official details on the progress of the investigation”.
Mr Lesin, one of Russia’s leading media managers, helped stage Mr Putin’s ascent to power in 2000 and was a key figure in the Kremlin’s effort to establish tight control over the nation’s media throughout the 2000s. It had been reported earlier that the police arriving at the scene had found no signs pointing to an unnatural cause of death.
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Until late 2014, he ran the media wing of the state’s energy giant, Gazprom, before stepping down or, more likely, being forced out. He said the list also included more than 400 units of artillery and combat vehicle arsenal. “Otherwise, we’d just look like roaring bears on the prowl”. Roger Wicker to investigate Lesin for potential corruption and money laundering. Mr Lesin owned multi-million-dollar properties in the USA and Europe, including a reported $28m (£19m) in Beverly Hills real estate.
