Former Estonian president Arnold Ruutel dies aged 96

Arnold Ruutel, the last communist leader of Soviet Estonia and the Baltic country’s second president after the restoration of independence, has died at the age of 96 (Mindaugas Kulbis/AP)

Arnold Ruutel, the last communist leader of Soviet Estonia and the Baltic country’s second president after the restoration of independence, has died at the age of 96.

The office of the President of Estonia, Alar Karis, said on its website that Mr Ruutel died on Tuesday.