An "armed and dangerous" Ukrainian woman is the prime suspect in the bombing that critically injured a Ukrainian billionaire in Monaco. Interpol is working to issue a Most Wanted red notice after an arrest warrant was issued.
Attack on Billionaire
The suspect targeted billionaire Vadim Ermolaev, 58, his mistress Anna Nasobina, 46, and their young son on Monday night, June 29. The woman, not yet publicly named, was filmed outside the Sun's Palace, a lavish apartment block owned by Ermolaev.
Just before 9pm, a dumped rucksack exploded after the woman triggered it using a mobile phone. Nasobina had her legs amputated following the blast, while both she and Ermolaev suffered severe shrapnel wounds and burns.
Suspect Identified
"The prime suspect was identified by a witness," said an investigating source. "She is a Ukrainian woman in her thirties." Surveillance footage showed the woman wearing a black bucket hat fleeing on foot across the border to France, where there are no checkpoints.
Investigators believe she headed into the French town of Beausoleil and then made her way to Italy. "She is armed and dangerous, and thought to be in the company of accomplices," said the source. "She should be approached with extreme caution."
Legal Proceedings
Judicial authorities in both France and Monaco have opened a criminal enquiry for "attempted murder", "the planting of an explosive device on a public road with criminal intent", and "criminal conspiracy." Cameras first picked up the suspect in the area on Monday morning, before she returned to place the bomb, according to security sources.
Victim's Recovery
The wounded boy has made a rapid recovery and is currently providing evidence to police and prosecutors. "He is telling them exactly what he saw, although clearly his memory is very blurred," said a security source. "It appears that his mother took the full force of the blast, while he suffered relatively minor burns and shrapnel injuries."
