Four days after the explosion that occurred in front of a building in Monaco, investigators identified the main suspect. A red notice from Interpol has been issued. The investigation for attempted murder continues, while several leads remain under investigation.
The investigation into the explosion that occurred on June 29 in front of a building located at 4 rue du Révérend-Père-Louis-Folla in Monaco is progressing. The blast seriously injured three members of the same family and led the general prosecutor’s office to open a judicial investigation for “attempted murder” and “depositing of substances or explosive devices on public highways.”
During a press conference held Friday, July 3, deputy prosecutor Morgan Raymond confirmed that the person being sought is a woman. This 39-year-old Ukrainian national, residing in Frankfurt, has been identified as Anastasiia Berezovska. An Interpol red notice has been issued to allow for possible arrest in any country.
The investigations made it possible to trace part of the suspect’s route. Surveillance cameras show a flight on foot towards Beausoleil before recovering a vehicle registered and rented in Germany. The journey then continued towards Italy and other European countries before returning to the country of residence. A search conducted at her home did not locate the suspect.
The Monegasque authorities also sent a request for additional judicial cooperation to the German authorities to locate the wanted woman and carry out, if necessary, further searches. An internal police note, consulted by BFMTV, states that “this person may disguise herself to appear as a man.”
Accomplices sought and several leads still being investigated
The evidence gathered suggests that the placement of the explosive device would not have been prepared by a single person. “The judicial investigation (…) focused on the existence of accomplices and masterminds“, declared Morgan Raymond. The magistrate also mentioned “the relative sophistication of the explosive device and the modus operandi.”
Two men were held in custody in Monaco before being released. “The questioning and investigations conducted did not reveal active participation”, the deputy prosecutor clarified.
Investigators believe that the three victims were the target of the attack. The family of Ukrainian businessman Vadim Ermolaev appears to have been followed in the moments preceding the explosion. According to several sources, the device was triggered “using an object resembling a remote control” as Anna Nasobina passed.
Hospitalized after the explosion, Anna Nasobina still has a life-threatening prognosis. According to the latest information gathered Saturday, July 4, the victim received massive transfusions and risks losing the use of several senses. Amputation of both legs had already been performed.
Vadim Ermolaev, now hospitalized in Marseille, is reported to have come out of a coma and his health is improving. The couple’s 13-year-old son is out of danger.
The investigation rules out, at this stage, the classification as a terrorist attack. “This is not an attack that can be classified as terrorism”, stated General Prosecutor Stéphane Thibault as early as June 30. Investigations are now continuing around several hypotheses, including organized crime, a possible foreign interference, or an operation intended to deliver a warning rather than cause an assassination. An international manhunt is now underway to shed light on this matter.
NicePremium is a free, independent local news outlet.
Help us keep going by supporting our work from €5 per month.
