A TOP Russian diplomat has been found dead at his Athens home.

Andrey Malanin, 54, was discovered by embassy staff on the floor of his bedroom this evening, Greek police confirmed.

3 A hearse carries away the body of a top Russian diplomat after he was found dead at his Athens flat tonight Credit: Athena Picture Agency

3 Police were pictured entering the flat of Andrey Malanin as Greek police confirmed the murder squad would examine the case Credit: Reuters

3 Russian ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov was shot dead by a Turkish policeman while giving a speech at an art gallery last month Credit: AP:Associated Press

Detectives confirmed they would draft in the police murder unit to examine the death because of Malanin’s high-profile status.

But they added it was unlikely he had been murdered and said he bore no signs of violent injury.

Nor was there any indication of a break-in.

A police spokesman said: “At first sight, we are talking about natural causes.”

Russian diplomats are on high alert following the assassination of its ambassador to Turkey, Andrei Karlov, by a policeman at an art gallery last month.

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