Lebanese Newspaper: Russian GRU spy chief died as a result of a 'secret mission' in Beirut
The Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, citing its own sources, stated that Russian Intelligence Director Igor Sergun, who passed away two months ago, died in Beirut while conducting a secret mission. According to the news paper, Saudi Arabian and other Middle Eastern secret service groups may have been involved in the death of Colonel-General Sergun, head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, better known as the GRU.
Orientalexpress.info noted that the publication alluded to the possible involvement of Turkish secret services, drawing attention to the fact that after Sergun’s mysterious death, Moscow initiated conflict with Ankara.
It has been nearly two months since Colonel General Sergun passed away at the age of 58. The cause of death was not announced at the time. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.
A few weeks afterwards, US private intelligence agency Stratfor reported that the former GRU head died not in Russia but in Lebanon. Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for the Russian President and a high-ranking official of the General Staff, denied the accuracy of this information.