Suspect in Monaco bombing found dead in Ukraine

A woman suspected of carrying out a bomb attack in Monaco last week that seriously injured a Ukrainian-born businessman has been found dead in Ukraine, and a military intelligence officer has been arrested in connection with her murder, authorities said on Tuesday.

The body of Anastasiia Berezovska, a Ukrainian citizen who was wanted by Interpol for the June 29 bombing, was found with gunshot wounds to the head and pistol cartridges nearby, Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office said in a statement on Telegram.

Two men have been detained on suspicion of killing Berezovska, including the employee of Ukraine's military intelligence service (HUR) and a former police officer, the statement said.

The two men had communicated with Berezovska after she returned to Ukraine on July 1 and had made repeated transfers to her crypto and bank accounts, the statement said.

The HUR employee had confessed to killing 39-year-old Berezovska with the other defendant, the prosecutor general's office said.

"He also said that he had not informed his superiors about his contacts with Berezovska, the money transfers, or any of his other actions, and had acted on his own initiative," the statement said.

The two men were arrested on suspicion of committing murder and are also believed to be involved in the Monaco bombing, the statement said.

During a search of the home of the former law enforcement officer, a basement room resembling a torture chamber was discovered, it added.

BUSINESSMAN SANCTIONED BY UKRAINE

Ukrainian-born property developer Vadym Yermolaiev, his partner and son were wounded in last Monday's bomb attack, sources said.

Yermolaiev, who took Cypriot nationality seven years ago, was placed under sanctions by Ukraine in 2023, following Russia's invasion the previous year.

Ukrainian media reported the sanctions were a response to Yermolaiev's alleged business activities in Russian-occupied Crimea.

Yermolaiev has denied doing business in Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014.

Berezovska was wanted by authorities in Monaco on charges of attempted murder, placing an explosive device in a public place with criminal intent, and criminal conspiracy.

Monaco's deputy prosecutor said last week that the attacker had left the principality on foot to nearby France then fled by car to Germany via several European countries, including Italy.

Ukrainian media outlet Ukrainska Pravda had reported earlier on Tuesday that Berezovska's body was found near Ukraine's capital Kyiv close to 11 pm local time (2000 GMT) on Monday.

Law enforcement agencies are working to identify those who ordered the attack in Monaco and any other individuals involved in the case, the statement said.

All information held by the Ukrainian law enforcement agencies has been shared with Monaco authorities, it added.