He appeared in the Epstein files, knew Diddy, and ran against Putin, then turned up dead in Moscow with a Luger pistol

Russian businessman and former politician Umar Dzhabrailov was found dead in a luxury Moscow apartment, just weeks after his name appeared in the Epstein files. He was 67 years old. A Luger pistol was lying next to his body, and police sources have labeled it a suspected suicide.

According to The Daily Beast, police found him in a pool of blood with a gunshot wound to his head. He did not leave a note, though sources said he had recorded several video comments about recent events in Iran shortly before his death.

His name appeared in the Epstein files due to a direct email exchange with convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. A government file shows an email Dzhabrailov sent to Maxwell in May 2001, in which he wrote: “Dear Ghislaine, I’m back from London, planing 2 B in Moscow. Really want 2 C U, but I need 2 know exactly when U arive, cause I want 2 take care of U and arrange welcoming things. Wishing U all the best! Umar.”

Dzhabrailov’s connections to high-profile figures add more layers to his already complicated story

Maxwell replied the very next day: “Umar Sorry that we did not come last week. Got side tracked and ended up in France. However we Jeffrey Tom and I are coming next week arriving Fri. Will you be around and can we get together? Let me know Hope you are well.” 

The Epstein files have continued to make headlines, with the Royal Family facing fresh scrutiny as police confirmed a man in his sixties is in custody. Dzhabrailov also had a connection to disgraced music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, who is currently serving a 50-month sentence for transportation to engage in prostitution.

Dzhabrailov said he became friends with Combs, as well as Beyoncé and Jay-Z, at the Cannes Film Festival. He shared this in a Telegram post, saying: “As it happened, my yacht was docked next to theirs. We became friends and later began attending various events together.” 

He also denied knowing about any of Combs’ illegal activities, stating: “There were no ‘oil parties’ or any other shady stuff.” Not everyone has been following the Epstein files closely, Shia LaBeouf notably dismissed caring about the Epstein files as something only losers do.

Before these connections came to light, Dzhabrailov had a notable career in Russian politics and business. He served as a Federation Council senator for the North Caucasus Republic between 2004 and 2009. 

Dzhabrailov also ran for president against Vladimir Putin in 2000, receiving just 0.1 percent of the vote. On the business side, he once owned the Radisson Slavyanskaya Hotel & Business Center in Moscow and managed a company that oversaw several Russian shopping centers.