Russian scientist's death surrounded by controversy

The case of the Russian nuclear arms expert, which revealed a deep laceration on his head during the autopsy, has aroused suspicion of murder, even though an accidental death has not been excluded.

Newspaper l-orrizont today reported that head injuries previously believed to have led to Pikayev's natural death, may not be compatible with the scratches found on the jamb of a door in his apartment.

Investigators were of the opinion that Pikayev, who was found naked in his St Paul's Bay apartment, had hit his head with the jamb of the door. Initial indications showed signs of a natural death, but a head injury discovered during the autopsy confused forensic experts.

The newspaper now reports that the scratch marks discovered last Thursday "may suggest the scientist slipped and hit his head, leaving him dizzy when he fell to the ground and died, in the same spot later discovered by police." However, the head injury, which revealed a deep cut, may not be compatible with the impact of the jamb of the door.

Inquiring Magistrate Dr Antonio Mizzi will investigate the apartment again later on this week, including the apartment block's elevator.

The newspaper comments that if Pikayev had been murdered, his killers would have been "professionals" since no traces were left behind.

Pikayev, former co-director of the Carnegie Moscow Center's Non-Proliferation Program, was discovered by police back on 16 June,, who forced themselves into his apartment.