Monaco authorities have launched an international manhunt for a Ukrainian woman believed to be connected to an attempted bombing in the principality. Prosecutors have issued an arrest warrant, stating the suspect is thought to have travelled to Germany following the incident.
The alleged plot involved an explosive device being placed inside a building in Monaco, a small sovereign state on the French Riviera. Fortunately, the device was discovered by local security personnel before it could detonate and was safely defused by bomb disposal experts. There were no reported casualties or significant damage as a result of the attempted attack.
Details surrounding the motive behind the alleged bomb plot remain unclear, and authorities have not yet released information regarding potential targets or the specific nature of the explosive device. The focus of the investigation now centres on locating and apprehending the suspect, who is understood to have left Monaco swiftly after the incident came to light.
The issuance of an international arrest warrant means that law enforcement agencies across Europe and beyond will be alerted to the individual's status, requiring cooperation between national police forces. Germany, as a member of the Schengen Area, has strong cross-border policing agreements with other European nations, which could facilitate the apprehension of the suspect if she is indeed located there.
While this incident occurred outside the UK, the international nature of the investigation highlights the interconnectedness of European security. The UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) often collaborates with European partners on matters of serious crime and terrorism, though there is no indication at this stage that the UK is directly involved in this particular investigation. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has not updated its travel advice for Monaco, which remains 'see our travel advice for France' and advises exercising normal safety precautions.