British founder of the White Helmets dead in Istanbul

The neighbor said James Le Missouri was found dead early on Monday near his home in the Beyoglu district of central Istanbul.

A diplomat told Reuters the circumstances of Le Mesurier death were unclear.

While the British Independent newspaper reported that it is not known how he died, but colleagues said he may have fallen from the balcony of his apartment in the city of Istanbul.

The White Helmets, also known as the Syrian Civil Defense, have been active in areas controlled by mercenary groups working for Turkey, founded in 2013.

The group was supported by a number of international relief organizations. Since 2014, Medi Rescue and Chemonics - implementing partners of the Training, Equipment, Advocacy, Media and Organizational Capacity Building Program - have supported their work and have received funding from the UK, Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Japan and the United States of America.

This group considers itself neutral and impartial and does not pledge allegiance to any political party or group, but Russia accuses it of working for the West.

Russia asserted that one of the founders of the White Helmets is James Le Mesurier, a former officer in the British intelligence, specifically in the "MI6" and it is difficult to believe that this is a coincidence.

"This man has left traces in many conflicts around the world, including in the Balkans and the Middle East," Russia said. "Furthermore, a number of researchers point to links between this former intelligence officer and terrorist organizations while working in Kosovo, where his team was, according to some sources even includes elements of al-Qaeda. "

J.O