DHAKA: A former aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin has been found dead in Washington DC, Russian state media say, reports the BBC.

Mikhail Lesin, 57, Russia's former press minister and a one-time head of the powerful Gazprom-Media Holding group, died on Thursday, the RIA-Novosti and Tass news agencies report.

Russian media, quoting his family, said he suffered a heart attack.

ABC News, who said Lesin was found at the Hotel Dupoont, reported that police are investigating his death.

Last year, Mississippi senator Roger Wicker called for an investigation into Lesin, saying his fortune "raises serious questions".

In a letter to the US Department of Justice, Sen Wicker said Lesin bought property $28m (£18.6m) in Los Angeles for his family after finishing work as a civil servant.

Sen Wicker asked how a former civil servant would have been able to buy and maintain expensive property, and expressed concern their purchase may have involved people and groups on a US sanctions list.

BDST: 0958 HRS, NOV 07, 2015
RS