Anastasiia Berezovska, the woman wanted by Interpol in connection with the Monaco bombing of June 29, visited a shop in Beausoleil just hours before the attack to purchase a portable phone power bank, according to CCTV footage and an account from the shop assistant who served her.
Beausoleil sits directly on the French border with Monaco, a few hundred metres from the building targeted in the attack.
The shop assistant, named as Enzo, told investigators that Berezovska visited the store twice. She first came in to buy the power bank but was unable to complete the payment as her bank account had insufficient funds. She returned the same afternoon, at 5.09pm, to pay the outstanding amount.
Enzo said he was surprised when he realised she was the suspect. “When she came into the shop, she didn’t speak any English at all. She struggled a little, but she seemed completely normal,” he told investigators.
An Interpol photograph released in connection with the case shows Berezovska holding what appears to be a portable power bank, possibly the one purchased in Beausoleil earlier that day. Investigators believe the purchase could help establish the degree of premeditation behind the attack.
Berezovska’s vehicle has since been recovered in Germany. Ukrainian authorities have opened a parallel investigation into attempted premeditated murder.
The bomb detonated at around 9pm on June 29, injuring Vadim Ermolaev, his partner Anna Nasobina and their 13-year-old son. Ermolaev has since regained consciousness. Nasobina remains in a critical condition.
Berezovska remains at large. Interpol has issued a Red Notice for her arrest.
News.mc will continue to follow this story as it develops.