Andrei Malanin, 55, the head of Russia's consular services in Greece, was found dead in his Athens apartment on Monday. Local police, who found Malanin's body on his bedroom floor, said there was no sign of forced entry to the residence.

"The first signs show a pathological cause of death, but we are investigating nonetheless," an officer told French news agency AFP.

Greek media reported that Malanin's staff alerted the authorities after their boss failed to report for work. Police had to force down the door to locate the consul, who lived alone in a heavily-guarded street that also includes the official residences of Greece's president and prime minister.

Russian authorities confirmed the diplomat's death. While initial reports have suggested there was no foul play at work in Malanin's death, Moscow has been on high alert over its diplomats since the ambassador to Turkey, Andrei Karlov, was assassinated by a policeman last month in protest over Russia's involvement in Syria.

es/cmk (AFP, Reuters)