Media members work as people walk past the house of deceased British army officer James Le Mesurier who helped found the "White Helmets" volunteer organization in Syria, in Istanbul, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019. The Istanbul chief prosecutor's office said Tuesday an autopsy and other procedures were underway at Istanbul's Forensic Medicine Institute to determine "the exact cause" of Le Mesurier's death.(AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)
The Associated Press
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Turkey's state-run news agency says the body of a former British officer who helped found the White Helmets volunteer group in Syria, has been transferred to Istanbul's main airport to be flown to London, following an autopsy.
Anadolu Agency said James Le Mesurier's body would be flown aboard a Turkish Airlines flight later on Wednesday.
Le Mesurier was found dead outside his home in Istanbul on Nov. 11. Police believe he fell to his death and are investigating the circumstances.
Turkey's Forensic Medicine Institute said toxicology and other examinations were continuing, adding that a report into his death would be sent to prosecutors "as soon as possible."
Last week a top Russian official had alleged Le Mesurier was a spy - a claim Britain strongly denies.
A woman walks past the house of British army officer James Le Mesurier who helped found the "White Helmets" volunteer organization in Syria, in Istanbul, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019. The Istanbul chief prosecutor's office said Tuesday an autopsy and other procedures were underway at Istanbul's Forensic Medicine Institute to determine "the exact cause" of Le Mesurier's death.(AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)
The Associated Press
A view of the sealed door of the house of British army officer James Le Mesurier who co-founded the "White Helmets" volunteer organization in Syria, in Istanbul, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019. The Istanbul chief prosecutor's office said Tuesday an autopsy and other procedures were underway at Istanbul's Forensic Medicine Institute to determine "the exact cause" of Le Mesurier's death. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)
The Associated Press
Emma Hedvig Christina Winber, the wife of British army officer James Le Mesurier who helped found the "White Helmets" volunteer organization in Syria, left, enters a car as she leaves the Forensic Medicine Institute, in Istanbul, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019. The Istanbul chief prosecutor's office said Tuesday an autopsy and other procedures were underway at Istanbul's Forensic Medicine Institute to determine "the exact cause" of Le Mesurier's death.(Ismail Coskun/IHA via AP)
The Associated Press