A former aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin and prominent political figure was found dead on Thursday in a Dupont Circle hotel room, according to the Russian Embassy in Washington.
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Russian state media is reporting that the 57-year-old died of a heart attack.
“The president has a high appreciation for Mikhail Lesin’s massive contribution to the creation of modern Russian mass media”, the Kremlin’s media service said, according to Russia Today, which was formed by Lesin and is backed by the Russian government.
From 2004 to 2009, he served as an adviser to Putin, Sputnik News, a Russian state-run agency, reported. “Out of respect to the privacy and sensitivity of the matter we are not at liberty to disclose any other information, and would ask you to refer all further requests to his family and the law enforcement officials”.
On Thursday, USA authorities notified the Russian embassy in Washington that one of its citizens had died, and Russian officials are now working with American authorities to determine the circumstances of the death, the embassy told ABC News in a statement. Police found no signs of foul play, but a formal investigation has been launched. It has been reported that Lesin had been suffering from a prolonged unidentified illness.
Washington police have opened a “death investigation”.
From 1999 to 2004, Lesin served as Russia’s Minister of Press, Television and Radio, often traveling with Putin on official trips.
In a letter to the US Department of Justice, Sen Wicker said Mr Lesin bought property $28m (£18.6m) in Los Angeles for his family after finishing work as a civil servant.
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Lesin is credited with consolidating news agencies in Russian Federation and solidifying state control over the independent outlets. Lesin resigned the next year, reportedly citing family reasons.
