Cypriot authorities are investigating the death of a senior Russian embassy official who was found dead inside his office in Nicosia last Thursday, but said on Monday initial investigations rule out a crime.

Sources close to the matter told the Cyprus Mail that the man was discovered around midday, though police were not informed until several hours later.

Officers who attended the Russian embassy were not allowed to enter the building, with the body later handed over to them in the courtyard of the embassy premises.

Police requested access to the office where the official was found to examine the scene, but this was refused.

Embassy representatives told authorities the death was a suicide and said a letter had been left.

The letter was not provided to Cypriot investigators and was said to have been sent to Moscow.

Speaking to the Cyprus Mail, police confirmed that access to the embassy and the alleged letter was denied, citing the embassy’s extraterritorial status, which places it outside the jurisdiction of the Republic.

A postmortem examination determined the cause of death to be due to asphyxia caused by hanging.

Police sources said the death was classified as unnatural.

Police spokesperson Vyronas Vyronos said in a later statement that the death was not due to a criminal act, as the autopsy ruled out foul play.

He added that the body would now be handed over to the embassy for repatriation to Russia.

The Russian Embassy later confirmed the death of its employee, identifying him as Av Panov.

In a statement, the embassy said he passed away on January 8 and described his death as a “profound personal tragedy for his family and friends”.

It added that the family had been provided with all necessary assistance.

The embassy said it was cooperating with the competent Cypriot authorities regarding the repatriation of his body to Russia, with procedures expected to begin immediately.