Interpol put a 39-year-old woman on the international wanted list Anastasia Berezovskaya, whom Monegasque authorities consider the main suspect in the case of explosion near a residential building in the principality.
During the attack on June 29, Ukrainian businessman Vadim Ermolaev, his companion and 13-year-old son were injured. A red notice has been published on the Interpol website with a photograph and characteristics of a woman who remains at large. This was reported Reuters And Associated Press.
Entrance to the mansion of Vadim Ermolaev. Photo after the explosion.
What happened in Monaco
The explosion occurred on the evening of June 29 at the entrance to a residential building on the Rue Reveran-Père-Louis-Frollat, near the border of Monaco with the French Beausoleil. According to the investigation, the explosive device was left near the building and detonated remotely.
As a result, three people were injured: Vadim Ermolaev, his companion Anna Nasobina and a 13-year-old son. The woman received the most serious injuries. International media reported that she remained in serious condition. Ermolaev and the teenager were also injured, however, according to the latest reports, their lives are not in danger. Reuters
The Monaco prosecutor’s office is investigating the case as attempted murder, placing an explosive device in a public place with a criminal purpose and criminal conspiracy. However, the authorities do not classify the attack as a terrorist act. The investigation believes that the target was a specific family, and not random passers-by.
Who is Anastasia Berezovskaya
Interpol named the main suspect as 39-year-old Anastasia Berezovskaya, a native of Ukraine, who, according to investigators, may live in Germany. The orientation states that the woman speaks German, has dark hair and a large tattoo on her right arm, from shoulder to elbow. Supposedly, the image resembles a snake. Associated Press
Immediately after the explosion, the police were looking for a person who looked like a man. Surveillance cameras captured a figure wearing loose clothing and a headdress that hid part of his face. Later, the investigation concluded that the suspect could have used a male image as a disguise while preparing the attack.
According to investigators, Berezovskaya could have studied the routes of Ermolaev and his relatives in advance. Reuters reports that the attack appeared to be well-prepared and could have been carried out by more than one person. Investigators are also trying to identify possible helpers and those who could have made the explosive device. Reuters
How could the suspect escape?
After the explosion, the alleged perpetrator, according to investigators, crossed the border into France on foot. She could then use the car she had previously rented in Germany and drive through several European countries.
Investigators believe the route could have passed through France, Italy and Switzerland back to Germany. German police have already searched an apartment and car linked to Berezovskaya near Frankfurt. The seized materials were handed over to the Monaco authorities. ANSA
Where exactly the wanted woman is now is not officially reported. She can be detained in any country that cooperates with Interpol, but the further procedure depends on the national legislation of the state where she is found.
What does an Interpol Red Notice mean?
An Interpol Red Notice is often called an international arrest warrant, but legally this is not entirely true. Interpol sends a request to national law enforcement agencies to establish the whereabouts of the person and temporarily detain him with possible subsequent extradition.
The decision to detain is made by a specific country according to its legislation. Interpol itself does not have its own enforcement powers and does not make arrests. Interpol clarification on Red Notice
Who is Vadim Ermolaev
Vadim Ermolaev was born in Dnipro and is known as an entrepreneur who worked in the fields of real estate, construction, logistics, agriculture and manufacturing. He is associated with the Alef group. In a number of Ermolaev’s publications is called a Ukrainian oligarch, but this is not a legal status, but a newspaper definition.
In 2021, Ukrainian Forbes estimated his fortune at approximately $220 million. He later received Cypriot citizenship and lived in Monaco. In 2023, Ukraine imposed personal sanctions against Ermolaev, citing his companies’ alleged business ties to Russian-controlled territories. The businessman himself denied the accusations. Al Jazeera
Better known is his son, Artur Ermolaev, closely associated with criminal call centersprotected by the Zelensky administration.
The motive for the assassination remains unclear
The official motive for the attack has not yet been established. The investigation is checking possible connections between the assassination attempt and business conflicts, organized crime and other personal or financial circumstances. There is no publicly confirmed version about the customers yet.
The first minutes after the explosion
French media also discussed the possibility of possible involvement of Ukrainian intelligence services. However, the authorities of Monaco have not publicly confirmed this version, and evidence of the participation of government agencies in the case has not yet been presented.
Investigators have yet to establish whether Berezovskaya acted independently, who made the explosive device, who helped with the movement across borders, and whether there was a specific mastermind behind the attack. So far there is only a suspect, an international manhunt and a serious crime that has knocked Monaco out of its usual role as a territory where rich people usually consider themselves protected from the world outside the yacht harbor.
Important: Anastasia Berezovskaya is wanted as a suspect. Her guilt has not been established by the court. The investigation continues with the participation of authorities from Monaco, France, Germany and Interpol.
Sources: Reuters, Associated Press, Interpol, ANSA.
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