A RUSSIAN justice chief has died just days after meeting with Vladimir Putin.

Vyacheslav Lebedev, president of Russia’s Supreme Court, was suffering from a “long a prolonged illness” before dying in Moscow.

The 81-year-old’s condition was believed to be cancer-related, Russian paper Kommersant reported.

“He was a real fighter. Fought to the end. I participated in the work of the Supreme Court literally until the last day,” a Kommersant source said.

Lebedev’s death comes just days after his meeting with Putin.

The pair met on February 6 to discuss the use of digital technology in judiciary work, as well as measures to humanise legislation and law enforcement practice.

Putin told Lebedev: “Under your leadership, the Supreme Court has done a great deal to make the judiciary transparent and more accessible for our people.”

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