UK counter-terror police probe 'unexplained' death of Russian businessman

UK counter-terror police are investigating the "unexplained death”  of a Russian businessman in London.

The victim is believed to be Nikolai Glushkov, who claimed political asylum in the UK after being convicted of fraud, the BBC reports.

Mr Glushkov was discovered by his family and friends at his house in New Maldon, in London's south-west, late on Monday night, aged 68, the Guardian said.

The Metropolitan Police said an investigation is underway, but did not name Mr Glushkov.

“Whilst we believe we know the identity of the deceased, formal identification is yet to take place,” police said in a statement.

“At this stage the Met Police Counter Terrorism Command is leading the investigation as a precaution because of associations that the man is believed to have had.”

They added there is no evidence to suggest the death is linked to the incident in Salisbury, where a former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned with nerve agent which the UK government believes came from Russia.