Monaco bombing suspect found dead in Ukraine

The body of 39-year-old Anastasia Berezovskaya, a Ukrainian national wanted by authorities in Monaco concerning the recent bombing, has been found dead near Kyiv in Ukraine with gunshot wounds to the head.

The June 29 blast targeted Ukrainian business tycoon Vadym Yermolayev, injuring him, his partner, and a child. An international manhunt was launched after the attack, while Interpol issued a Red Notice.

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) confirmed the death of Berezovskaya on Tuesday, days after the country’s law enforcement agencies, led by the National Police, began a pre-trial investigation into her participation.

The probe revealed the suspect arrived in Ukraine on July 1 and spoke with her family and two men. The first is an ex-law enforcement officer; the second works at the Military Directorate of the Internal Affairs Ministry.

The SBU noted that the individuals were possibly involved in the attempted murder in Monaco, as both men had repeatedly made transfers to Berezovskaya’s crypto and bank accounts.

During search actions, an employee of the GUR MOU (Ukraine’s military intelligence service) reported the killing of Berezovskaya, which he claimed to have committed together with another defendant.

The latter, according to the SBU, disclosed that he did not inform his superiors about his contacts with Berezovskaya, the transfer of funds to her, and any other actions he took, and acted on his own accord.

Also, a basement room in the form of a “torture chamber” was discovered amid a raid of the former law enforcement officer’s home. The suspects are being held on suspicion of murder in a premeditated conspiracy.

Ukraine said its relevant agencies are working with the Principality of Monaco and the Prosecutor General’s Office, while continuing to identify all the culprits and other persons involved in the attempted homicide.