Top Russian diplomat found dead in Athens apartment with 'no evidence of a break-in'

A senior Russian diplomat was found dead in his Athens apartment on Monday, a Greek police official said.

Andrey Malanin, 54, was head of the consular section, according to the embassy's website.

He was found on the floor of his bedroom by a member of the embassy's staff with no evidence of a break-in, the official said on condition of anonymity.

"At first sight, we are talking about natural causes," the police official said, noting that police were investigating and authorities were awaiting the coroner's report.

Russia's ambassador to Turkey, Andrei Karlov , was assassinated last month while speaking at a photo exhibit.

President Putin was among mourners, including relatives and fellow diplomats laying flowers near Karlov's body in a ceremony in the marbled lobby of the looming Stalin-era skyscraper in central Moscow.

The normally tough-guy President was photographed looking heartbroken standing over the casket where he lay red roses.

Putin, who has said he knew Karlov personally and posthumously awarded him the highest military medal of Hero of Russia, paid his respects, briefly sitting beside the coffin and speaking to Karlov's widow.

Karlov's name was etched into a slab of pink marble on the wall of the foreign ministry building commemorating Russian diplomats killed in the line of duty.

Proceedings moved to Moscow's gold-domed Christ the Saviour Cathedral later on Thursday where the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, led a ceremony.