SBU Searches Military Intelligence Officer in Monaco Assassination Attempt Case
Lawyer Masi Nayyem said Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) is searching an officer of the Defence Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate on the morning of 6 November, in the case of the attempt on businessman Vadym Yermolaiev in Monaco. According to the lawyer, the search is being conducted without a court order.
Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) is carrying out a search at the home of an officer of the Defence Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) on the morning of 6 November. The search is linked to the case of the assassination attempt in Monaco on Vadym Yermolaiev, a Ukrainian businessman under sanctions. The news was reported by lawyer Masi Nayyem, who represents the serviceman.
Writing on Facebook, Nayyem said the door was broken down, the man was forced to the ground and handcuffed. He said the law requires officers to wait for HUR's internal security staff, but they did not. In a comment to Ukrainska Pravda, the lawyer added that the search is taking place without a court warrant. The outlet has asked the SBU for comment and says it will publish the response once received.
Background
The attack in Monaco took place on 29 June at around 21:00 and targeted Yermolaiev and his relatives. Media reported that the Monaco investigation was examining a possible SBU involvement. On 3 July, Interpol issued an international wanted notice for Anastasiia Berezovska, a 39-year-old Ukrainian citizen. According to Monaco law enforcement, she was suspected of planting an explosive device that seriously injured Yermolaiev and his family members.
On 7 July it emerged that Berezovska had been found killed and buried near Kyiv. The same day, the National Police, the SBU, HUR and the Prosecutor General's Office announced the detention of two people on suspicion of murdering the woman. Investigators believe the men may also be linked to the Monaco attack, as they allegedly made repeated transfers to Berezovska's cryptocurrency and bank accounts.
According to the investigation, Berezovska was killed on 3 July near the village of Yuriv in Kyiv region by HUR officer Vladyslav Reut and his accomplice, former SBU officer Vitalii Zhykovych. On 9 July, the Pechersk District Court in Kyiv remanded both in custody without the option of bail. Sources of Ukrainska Pravda close to the investigation say Zhykovych and Reut are considered the organisers of the Monaco attack. Yermolaiev himself has blamed Ukrainian intelligence for the attack on him and his family and asked that their protection be guaranteed.
