Monaco attack suspect acted alone in explosion that injured three, including Ukrainian tycoon, prosecutor says
Monaco’s chief prosecutor said Tuesday that a suspect who placed an explosive device that injured three people acted alone and remains at large, as investigators continue to search for the attacker behind the blast.
Authorities have opened an attempted murder investigation into Monday night’s explosion, but said it is not being treated as a terrorism case. Officials stressed that the motive is still unknown.
Three people were injured in the blast, including a woman who remains in life-threatening condition. A man has since been taken out of critical condition, while a child’s injuries are not considered life-threatening. Authorities have not released the identities of those hurt.
The explosion occurred around 9 p.m. near the entrance of a residential building close to the French border. Surveillance footage indicates the victims were returning home when the device detonated as they entered the building.
Investigators say the suspect fled immediately on foot after the explosion, using nearby stairs and escaping toward the French town of Beausoleil. CCTV images show a man wearing a black jacket, light-colored pants, white shoes, and a dark hat partially obscuring his face.
Officials said surveillance also suggests the victims may have been specifically targeted, noting that the suspect appeared to wait in the area and was seen moving around the location before the attack.
The injured include a Ukrainian-born businessman widely reported to be a construction tycoon, along with his partner and their child. The woman is being treated in a hospital in Nice, while the man and child remain hospitalized with less severe injuries.
The attack has shocked the wealthy Mediterranean principality, where security is considered among the tightest in the world. Monaco’s head of state described the incident as a serious and “odious act,” with authorities mobilizing all available resources to track down the suspect.
The Ukrainian businessman reportedly linked to the case built his fortune in real estate and development through a diversified holding company and has long been listed among prominent figures in Ukraine’s business community. He previously renounced his Ukrainian citizenship and became a Cypriot national in 2017. In 2023, Ukrainian authorities imposed sanctions on him over alleged ties involving Russia-related business interests.
Monaco, a small but highly international state known for its luxury economy and extensive surveillance network, remains on alert as the investigation continues.
Comments
Post a Comment