A former Ukrainian security service officer linked to an assassination attempt on an oligarch and his young son in Monaco claims the attack was authorised by senior figures in his country's military intelligence agency.
A makeshift bomb exploded at the entrance to an apartment block in the principality in June, injuring three people - a man, a woman and a 13-year-old boy who were returning from an evening meal on the seafront. The victims, who all survived, were identified as Ukrainian construction tycoon Vadim Ermolaev, his partner Anna Nasobinawith and his young son.
Suspect's account of the operation
The main suspect in the case was identified as Anastasiia Berezovska, a Ukrainian woman who it was claimed disguised herself as a man before the explosive was remotely detonated near the French border. She fled before an Interpol Red Notice was issued, but her body was discovered seven days later in woods near to Kyiv with gunshot wounds to the head.
Vladyslav Reut, a member of Ukraine's military intelligence agency, was arrested over her murder. Vitalii Zhykovych was then identified by him as his accomplice and remains in prison in the capital following his arrest. He has now spoken for the first time, denying allegations that he was involved in the attack in an interview with the BBC.
Allegations of authorisation
Speaking from behind bars, Zhykovych claimed that Mr Reut was "the boss" and had put forward the operation and denied any involvement in planting the bomb or in the death of the woman. "As Reut informed me, this operation had been authorised and approved by Reut's superiors, who served in the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence," he said.
Zhykovych then alleged that Reut informed him the bomb attack was in retaliation to Mr Yermolayev allegedly "funding the annexation of Crimea".
Court statements and response
In court, Reut told the judge that Zhykovych was responsible for the murder. He said: "Zhykovych fired the first shot at her in the back of the head. She fell down. He came up and fired another shot. I was standing a few metres away at that moment."
Zhykovych describes himself as a "freelancer" for Ukraine's SBU security service, saying Ms Berezovska was his "agent". Yermolayev later said he was sure that serving HUR officers, "individuals close to the agency's current and former leadership", were linked to the attack.
