'Armed and dangerous' suspect in Monaco bomb horror is 'woman who dressed as man to plant device'

An "armed and dangerous" suspect in Monday night's Monaco bombing is believed to be a Ukrainian woman who dressed up as a man to plant an explosive device.

Monaco police have described their suspect as a woman in her 30s.

A manhunt was launched on Monday night after a blast seriously injured one of Ukraine's wealthiest men, Vadim Ermolaev, a woman, Anna Nasobina, 46, and a 13-year-old boy.

The device, described as a "parcel bomb", has left Mr Ermolaev and Ms Nasobina seriously injured, with one witness claiming to see a woman with "her feet missing" in the immediate aftermath of the attack.

TRENDING

Stories

Videos

Your Say

One source close to the investigation told The Sun: "The prime suspect was identified by a witness."

"She is a Ukrainian woman in her 30s."

While the bomber has yet to be publicly identified, prosecutors have filed an arrest warning and, an Interpol Red Notice Most Wanted is set to be lodged against them.

Images taken from CCTV footage showed the suspect wearing a black bucket hat, a black jacket and white sneakers.

Police believe she may have already crossed the border from France to Italy.

The source said: "She is armed and dangerous, and thought to be in the company of accomplices.

"She should be approached with extreme caution."

Mr Ermolaev's wife, also named Anna, told Suspline: "We are currently in a state of severe stress and are actively cooperating with the investigation and law enforcement agencies."

MORE IN EUROPE:

• 'Negotiations have begun!' France invites Britain back into EU and claims Brexit has 'failed'
• Europe's most dangerous gangs' membership explodes five-fold to nearly half a million
• Giorgia Meloni slams Donald Trump for ‘fabricated’ claims in video message as diplomatic row erupts

Ms Nasobina lives in London and is believed to own an £8million property near Holland Park.

In 2016, she founded Club Ecletqie, which describes itself as a "private members-only society for art de vivre enthusiasts".

The boy injured in the blast is believed to be Ms Nasobina's son - he was not severely injured and has communicated with investigators.

A friend of Ms Nasobina did not deny that she was the one injured in the blast when asked by The Times.

Louise, 30, a neighbour, said: "This has shocked all of us because Monaco is supposed to be one of the safest places in the world.

"If the Ukraine war is coming here, that's not good, but I think it was an isolated incident."

Some have speculated Mr Ermolaev was targeted in connection to an alleged scam involving his son Artur, who was previously detained in Cyprus accused of creating a criminal organisation engaged in telephone fraud.

Robert, 45, also a neighbour, said: " In Monaco if you're well-off the authorities don’t ask foreign residents too many questions about where their wealth comes from, but I think they'll have to be stricter in future."

Police said the suspect is under investigation for attempted murder, criminal conspiracy and the planting of an explosive device on a public road with criminal intent.

Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter