News / Foreign Policy

Former Putin adviser found dead in DC hotel, investigation launched

Saturday, 07 November 2015 6:30 AM [ Last Update: Saturday, 07 November 2015 6:30 AM ]

Mikhail Lesin, a prominent Russian political figure and mass media expert, has died in Washington, DC.

A prominent Russian media expert and long-time adviser to President Vladimir Putin has died in the US capital of Washington, DC.

Mikhail Lesin, a former press minister and ex-head of Gazprom-Media, Russia’s largest media holding, died at the age of 57 on Wednesday, a US and Russian official told ABC News.

Lesin had been staying at Hotel Dupont when he was found Thursday.

RT quoted family members as saying Lesin died of a heart attack. RT also reported that police had found no signs of foul play but that a formal investigation into his death had been launched.

Washington’s Metropolitan Police Department spokesman would only confirm that the department is conducting 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.

Lesin is credited with creating Russia Today, the Moscow-based English-language news network funded by the Russian government.

Now known as RT, the network “provides an alternative perspective on major global events, and acquaints an international audience with the Russian viewpoint,” according to its website.

Putin expressed his sincerest condolences to Lesin’s family on Saturday. “The president has a high appreciation for Mikhail Lesin’s massive contribution to the creation of modern Russian mass media,” the Kremlin said in a statement.

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www.presstv.co.uk