Ongoing investigations on Russian nuclear weapons expert’s death

The Russian arms expert Alexander Pikayev, 48, was found dead last week on Wednesday, 16 June, in the Porto Paolo block of apartments in St. Paul’s Bay.  Police have ruled out the theory that the Russian was killed because he was being robbed. A significant amount of money was found in his apartment, whilst his computer - which is believed to contain 'sensitive information' - was still running.

Pikayev was found dead and undressed in the middle of the corridor. The indications are that he died of a natural death. Police investigators say that he probably slipped and bumped his head against the jamb of the door. In fact, investigators found impact marks both against the jamb and the wall, which were compatible with the injury found on Pikayev’s head.

The front door was locked from the inside, and since the apartment is on the tenth floor, it is impossible for anyone to have force themselves in and later lock the door behind them, police said. L-orizzont reported that the next on-site investigations in the apartment will be held next Monday.

Pikayev is a former co-director of the Carnegie Moscow Center's Non-Proliferation Program. He had been the director of the Section on Arms Control and Nonproliferation at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations, at the Russian Academy of Sciences. He was also the chief counselor of the State Duma's Committee on Defense and Subcommittee on Arms Control and International Security.