Tragic Death of Russian Diplomat in Cyprus Sparks Controversy

The Russian Embassy in Cyprus announced on Monday that one of its staff members passed away last week, with local news suggesting that the death may have been a suicide.

In their statement, the embassy identified the employee only as A.V. Panov and mentioned that he died on January 8, calling it a “deep personal tragedy for his family and those who loved him.”

The diplomatic mission did not provide details on the circumstances surrounding Panov’s death, only noting that efforts were being made to return his remains to Russia.

Cypriot media, referencing unnamed police sources, reported that the diplomat took his own life by hanging in his office. Although Panov supposedly left a suicide note, the Russian embassy did not present it to law enforcement, indicating it would be sent to Moscow for examination.

Reports suggest that diplomatic personnel prohibited local investigators from entering the embassy to scrutinize the site of Panov’s alleged suicide. According to anonymous accounts, his body was transferred to the police within the embassy’s courtyard.

This incident occurred just a day after Russian businessman Vladislav Baumgertner, former CEO of the fertilizer company Uralkali, was reported missing in Cyprus.

Local officials and volunteers initiated a search for Baumgertner on Sunday, but it remains unclear whether there is any link between Panov’s death and Baumgertner’s disappearance.

Authorities stated that there were no immediate indications of foul play regarding Baumgertner’s vanishing.