Monaco, France – Prosecutors in Monaco have ruled out terrorism as a motive behind the explosion that injured three people, including a Ukrainian businessman.
They confirmed that the initial investigation is focusing on suspected attempted murder and crimes related to the use of explosives.
The investigation is focusing on attempted murder
Monaco prosecutor Stephane Thibault said that preliminary data do not indicate that the incident has a terrorist nature.
He also explained that investigations are still underway to uncover the circumstances
of the explosion that occurred on Monday evening at the entrance to a residential building in the emirate.
He added that the authorities continue to collect evidence and listen to witnesses.
On the other hand, the injured have not yet been questioned due to their health conditions.
Police in Monaco and France continue their search for the suspect.
It is believed that he fled on foot to French territory after, according to investigations, he left a parcel bomb at the site of the explosion.
Surveillance cameras showed a person carrying a backpack and placing it at the entrance to the building moments before the explosion.
Then he leaves the place, heading towards the French town of Beausoleil, near the border with Monaco.
A Ukrainian businessman is among those injured
The public prosecutor’s office has not officially released the identities of the victims, but media outlets in Monaco,
France, and Ukraine, along with a source familiar with the investigation,
reported that the victims were Ukrainian businessman Vadym Yermolayev, his wife, and their son.
The prosecution indicated that the wife remains in critical condition,
while the husband and child are in stable condition after being transferred to a hospital in Nice, France.
Yermolayev, a Ukrainian-born billionaire, acquired Cypriot citizenship in 2019.
Ukraine imposed sanctions on him in 2023, reportedly due to allegations of business activities in Crimea.
Monaco Minister of State, Christophe Mirmand, described the incident as “unprecedented” in the principality,
emphasizing that authorities have not yet determined whether the explosion was an act of sabotage.
Monaco and France have launched a joint security operation to track down the suspect.
