Official: Russian UN ambassador died from heart attack, official autopsy results withheld

NEW YORK (AP) — Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations, who collapsed in his office last month, died from a heart attack, and no foul play is suspected, according to a senior city official briefed by the medical examiner’s office.

The official was not authorized to reveal the cause of death for Ambassador Vitaly Churkin and spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity Friday after the medical examiner’s office, citing diplomatic protocol, said it was instructed not to publicly release the cause of death.

An autopsy was performed on Churkin last month, but the death required further study. The additional tests had been completed, but Julie Bolcer, a spokeswoman for the city’s medical examiner, said the city’s Law Department told the office not to release any further information “to comply with international law and protocol.”

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Featured image courtesy of Politico