DID IRAN MURDER THIS SCIENTIST?

10/21/09

British nuclear expert dies in 40-metre plunge
By Thomas Hochwarter

Police are investigating after a British nuclear energy expert involved in negotiations with Iran over its nuclear programme fell 40 metres to his death from a UN building in Vienna.

Officials announced today (Weds) that the man – named as Timothy Hampton – died on the spot yesterday after a fall from the 17th floor at Vienna International Centre (VIC), one of the United Nations’ (UN) main headquarters along with New York, Nairobi and Geneva.

Authorities said the 47-year-old man – a member of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) – had joined the UN’s current talks with Iran over its nuclear programme.

Investigators refused to reveal any further information on the case but said they ordered an autopsy.

Speaking to the Austrian Times, Anne Thomas – a press spokesperson at the UN in Vienna – said: "All I can confirm is that a male staff member of the CTBTO was found dead at the bottom of a stairwell in the E Building at the Vienna International Centre at 8.30 on Tuesday morning.

"Vienna police are investigating the incident and there is nothing else we can say," she added.

UN staff told the Austrian Times that there had been a similar case recently in which an employee died when he fell from a comparable height.