Monaco prosecutors say there is no evidence of ‘terrorists’ after the blast, suspect them | Crime Stories

A search operation for a suspect who fled the scene after an explosion was placed at the door of a residential building injured three, authorities said.

Officials in Monaco say they have ruled out “terrorism” as the reason for now explosion which left three people injured.

The explosion occurred at the entrance of the residence on Monday evening, after a man left a package there.

Prosecutor Stephane Thibault told reporters Tuesday that the suspect who fled on foot acted alone and remained silent.

Security camera footage shows the suspect walking down the street wearing a black jacket, light-colored pants, white shoes and a black hat that hides his face.

Police have opened a homicide investigation but it does not qualify as a “terrorist” investigation, Thibault said, adding that the motive was unknown.

‘Caught and Exploded’

One of the three injured is a woman whose life is in danger, while her friend and a 13-year-old boy were not seriously injured but remain in hospital. Thibault did not provide their personal information.

Media reports indicate that Ukrainian architect Vadym Yermolaiev is among the injured. The Ukrainian website Ukrainska Pravda said he faced Ukrainian sanctions in 2023 for his ties to Russia.

The three victims “appear to be returning home peacefully” late in the evening, according to what they saw, Christophe Mirmand, Monaco’s minister of state, told French journalist LCI.

He said: “They were caught in the explosion as they passed through the door of their house.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has said that it contacted the authorities in Monaco, saying that the explosion has injured three people of Ukrainian nationality, who are part of the same family. He did not name them, but said Ukrainian authorities were checking their citizenship.

Yermolaiev, a multi-millionaire living in Monaco, has been under sanctions by Ukraine since December 2023, which Ukrainian security officials say stems from his liquor business in Crimea, which was seized by Russia.

Monaco is a small area with 38,000 inhabitants, which is home to the richest people. It is known as one of the safest places in the world, with many security cameras in many public areas.