The investigation into Monday night’s bombing in Monaco has taken a significant new turn, with Le Figaro reporting that investigators have identified the principal suspect as a Ukrainian woman living in Germany…
According to the French newspaper, the woman, believed to be in her thirties, is suspected of leaving the booby-trapped package outside the Monaco residence of Ukrainian businessman Vadim Ermolaev shortly before it exploded.
Earlier this week, France Télévisions reported that investigators had reconstructed the movements of the person responsible using Monaco’s extensive CCTV network. Surveillance footage is said to show the suspect monitoring the family’s movements throughout June 29 before returning in the evening and waiting close to an hour near the building. When the family arrived home, the suspect allegedly walked ahead, placed the explosive device at the entrance and continued past before turning back to confirm the victims had reached the doorway. The device was then reportedly detonated remotely from a distance of between 40 and 60 metres.
Following the explosion, the suspect fled on foot towards neighbouring Beausoleil, disappearing after crossing the French border.
Forensic specialists from Marseille continue to examine fragments of the explosive device and other evidence recovered from the scene, including a nearby bench where the suspect is believed to have waited before the attack.
The blast injured three people, including Ermolaev. A woman critically injured in the explosion remains in a life-threatening condition, while Monaco’s authorities have not yet officially confirmed the identity of any suspect or announced any arrests.