Authorities in Cyprus are investigating two separate but unusual incidents that have attracted international attention: the death of a high-ranking Russian official within the Russian Embassy in Nicosia and the disappearance of an influential Russian businessman from the Limassol area.
A Russian diplomat was found dead in the Russian embassy complex, a day after Vladislav Baumgertner, former CEO of the Russian fertilizer giant Uralkali, was reported missing from his residence near a major British air base.
The two cases occurred at a time of increased tensions between Cyprus and Russia, writes The Sun.
The death of the Russian diplomat
According to preliminary information, the diplomat’s death would have been caused by suicide, but the exact circumstances remain unclear. An unofficial autopsy would indicate hanging as a possible cause of death.
Cypriot authorities did not have access to the embassy premises to conduct their own investigations, as the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations provides that the host state can enter the territory of a diplomatic mission only with its consent.
Also, according to local press, authorities would have been informed about the death a few days after it occurred. It is reported that a farewell letter was found at the scene, but the document was not handed over to the Cypriot police.
An official autopsy is expected to take place in the coming period, and the delay in notification, refusal of access to the scene of the incident, and lack of key evidence have raised questions.
The disappearance of Vladislav Baumgertner
A day before the discovery of the diplomat’s death, Vladislav Baumgertner was reported missing from his luxury residence in Limassol. According to the police, he was last seen leaving his home dressed in black clothes. The disappearance was reported by an employee, after the businessman stopped responding to phone calls.
The last signal from his phone was located in a steep and isolated coastal area, near Pissouri, between Limassol and Paphos. A large-scale search operation, involving police, civil protection teams, volunteers, helicopters, and drones, was temporarily suspended due to unfavorable weather conditions.
Authorities say that there is no clear evidence at this stage linking Baumgertner’s disappearance to the death of the Russian diplomat.
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