An “armed and dangerous” woman has been identified as the prime suspect in a Monaco explosion that left a Ukrainian oligarch, a woman, and a teenage boy critically wounded.
Interpol, the international police organisation, is preparing to issue a Most Wanted red notice for the woman in her 30s following an arrest warrant.
The woman has not yet been publicly identified, but was captured on camera outside the Sun’s Palace – a luxurious apartment complex owned by victim Vadym Yermolaiev.
View 3 ImagesDozens of Monaco’s emergency services were deployed near the site of the explosion(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
She is suspected of dumping the backpack which detonated in the foyer, shortly before 9pm, and is thought to have been approximately 12 metres away when she activated the device.
“The prime suspect was identified by a witness,” said an investigating source, reports the Express.
“She is a Ukrainian woman in her thirties.
CCTV footage revealed the woman wearing a black bucket hat and long-sleeve escaping on foot across the border into France, where there are no checkpoints.
View 3 ImagesCCTV footage captured the person believed to be a suspect(Image: CCTV)
It is understood that the suspect was heading towards Beausoleil in France and has now travelled onwards 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.”
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French and Monégasque judicial authorities have launched a criminal investigation into attempted murder, placing an explosive device on a public road with criminal intent, and criminal conspiracy.
Stéphane Thibault, the Monaco prosecutor heading the investigation in Monte Carlo, said: “We are attempting to arrest the suspect.”