25 ° C
Profile

Day: 2 July 2026

Monaco bombing suspect identified as arrest warrant and Interpol Red Notice issued

by: Cassandra Tanti
02/07/2026

Monaco’s judicial authorities have identified the man suspected of carrying out the parcel bomb attack that injured three people in the Principality on 29th June, issuing an arrest warrant and requesting an Interpol Red Notice as the investigation enters a new phase.

In a communiqué issued late on Thursday, the Prosecutor General’s Office announced that a formal judicial investigation has been opened following what it described as the rapid identification of the suspect through the combined efforts of Monaco’s judicial police and international law enforcement partners.

“The quality of the work carried out by the judicial police division of the Direction de la Sûreté Publique, whose responsiveness, combined with effective international criminal cooperation, both police and judicial, made it possible to identify the person suspected of being the perpetrator in a particularly short time,” the communiqué said.

The case has now been placed before three investigating judges, marking a significant procedural step in the criminal investigation. The judicial inquiry has been opened on charges of attempted murder and complicity, depositing an explosive device on the public highway with criminal intent and complicity, and criminal conspiracy.

The appointment of three investigating judges gives the inquiry access to broader investigative powers, including the authority to oversee international judicial cooperation. Within this framework, an arrest warrant has been issued for the suspect, while an Interpol Red Notice was due to be activated on Thursday evening.

The announcement represents the most significant breakthrough since the explosion outside a residential building on Rue du Révérend Père Louis Frolla shortly before 9pm on 29th June.

The attack injured Ukrainian businessman Vadym Iermolaiev, his 13-year-old son and his partner. Prosecutor General Stéphane Thibault said on Wednesday that one of the two adults remained in a life-threatening condition, while the other victims’ injuries were no longer considered life-threatening.

Judicial authorities are expected to provide further details during a press conference at 11.30am on Friday 3rd July in the Supreme Court chamber of Monaco’s Palais de Justice, where investigators are due to present the latest developments in what has become one of the most significant criminal investigations in the Principality’s recent history.

Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, listen to our podcasts on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.

Photo taken from video by @rawad_chaaban instagram

Monaco hosts symposium on the European Court of Human Rights 

by: Cassandra Tanti
02/07/2026

Monaco hosted a high-level symposium on Friday bringing together judges, legal experts and government officials to discuss the future role of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) as Europe faces growing challenges including climate change, artificial intelligence and armed conflict. (more…)

Uncovering the authentic Monaco: A new chapter for heritage tours

by: Virginia D’Umas
02/07/2026

A new initiative from the Heritage Institute—’Au Cœur de Monaco’—uncovers the history and culture of the Principality. By launching a series of specialised two-hour guided tours running every Wednesday from 1st July to 19th August 2026, between 4pm and 6pm, the authorities are inviting both residents and visitors to slow down and truly engage with the story of the Mediterranean enclave.

For Françoise Gamerdinger, Director of Cultural Affairs, this project is the culmination of a long-held ambition. “It’s a mission that I consider very important, that I have wanted to put in place for a very long time,” she said during a press conference held on Wednesday 1st July at the Castel Roc. The initiative aims to move beyond surface-level tourism, offering deep dives into the architectural and historical fabric of Monaco.

The tours – held in French and English – are a direct response to a clear demand from the public. “I think there was a strong expectation that people, even from the Principality, wanted to discover in detail their environment, as well as their architectural and historical heritage,” Gamerdinger added.

Beyond the glamour: Two unique itineraries

The programme offers two distinct itineraries, available in both French and English. One route focuses on the origins of the Principality within Monaco-Ville, providing an immersive look at the country’s historical heart, while the other traces Monaco’s evolution by connecting the 19th-century adventure of Monte-Carlo to the cutting-edge, sustainable design of the new Mareterra district. 

Regarding the inclusion of this contemporary project, Françoise Gamerdinger said that “what surrounds us currently is also part of our heritage, and it is important to emphasise it and, above all, to become aware of it”.

An authentic perspective 

As Philippe Borsarelli, one of the heritage tour guides said: “We act as ambassadors for the ‘real’ Monaco, aiming to showcase the country’s depth far beyond the ‘bling-bling’ image often associated with the region.” He also highlighted that the Principality has served as a ‘true laboratory’ for innovative techniques, particularly in the construction of Mareterra.

Célia Bernasconi, Director of the Heritage Institute, encourages participants to take their time to explore. “We offer people who are interested the chance to dedicate two hours of their day to visiting a neighbourhood and taking the time to wander, to look up, and to discover the stories hidden there”.

To ensure a quality experience, tours are run by reservation, allowing the team to manage group sizes effectively. With content meticulously written by the Heritage Institute, these walks offer an expert-led journey through 700 years of history, patronage, and strategic development that have shaped the Monaco of today.

Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, listen to our podcasts on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.

Photo: Philippe Borsarelli during a heritage tour, credit: Virginia D’Umas 

APM Monaco brings pop-up padel court to the Monaco Casino terraces

by: Cassandra Tanti
02/07/2026

Jewellery brand APM Monaco has transformed the terraces in front of the Casino de Monte-Carlo into a temporary padel court, inviting residents and visitors to play in one of the Principality’s most iconic settings while raising funds for environmental conservation. The initiative is being supported by the brand’s global ambassador, Monegasque Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc.

Open from 1st to 12th July, the pop-up padel court has be installed to coincide with the launch of the brand’s new ‘Un été à Monaco’ collection.

Designed in Monaco’s signature red and white colours, the installation combines sport and fashion in a pop-up experience that reflects the brand’s Monegasque heritage. All proceeds from court bookings will be donated to the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, supporting its environmental initiatives focused on biodiversity, climate action and ocean conservation.

The activation celebrates APM Monaco’s roots in the Principality, where the jewellery house was founded, while encouraging visitors to experience one of the world’s fastest-growing sports in an iconic setting.

Court bookings are available via the APM Monaco website.

Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, listen to our podcasts on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.

Photos: Apm Monaco instagram

Nice to celebrate America’s 250th Independence Day with music, dance and cultural festivities

by: Cassandra Tanti
02/07/2026

The City of Nice will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States’ Declaration of Independence on Saturday 4th July with a free afternoon of music, dance and cultural activities on the Promenade du Paillon, honouring the longstanding ties between France and the United States.

Running from 2pm to 6pm at Place du Général Leclerc, the festivities will feature a New Orleans brass band, live jazz concerts, country dancing with introductory workshops, and family-friendly arts activities. Nice Mayor Eric Ciotti is expected to attend the celebrations at 3pm.

The event forms the centrepiece of a wider programme organised by the City of Nice throughout 2026 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence. Earlier this year, the city welcomed Charles Kushner, the United States Ambassador to France, to launch the commemorations. Nice has also been awarded the official ‘Freedom 250 France’ designation in recognition of its role as a partner in the anniversary celebrations.

The anniversary marks the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia on 4th July 1776, a document founded on the principles of liberty, democracy and equality that gave birth to the United States. According to the City of Nice, the celebrations are intended to honour the historic friendship between France and the United States, forged through shared democratic values and a long history of cooperation.

Nice’s connections with the United States extend beyond history. The city maintains sister-city relationships with Houston, Miami and New Orleans, alongside ongoing partnerships in the economic, cultural, academic and scientific fields.

The Independence Day programme follows a series of American-themed events already held in Nice this year, including the Festival du Film Américain in June and a summer retrospective dedicated to Grace Kelly, organised by the Cinémathèque de Nice.

Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, listen to our podcasts on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.

Photo source: Ville de Nice

Monaco bomb investigation: foreign national briefly detained

by: Cassandra Tanti
02/07/2026

A foreign national detained in Monaco on Wednesday morning in connection with the 29th June parcel bomb attack was released without charge the same afternoon, Monaco’s Prosecutor General confirmed in a press communiqué issued on 1st July — as one of the adult victims remains in a life-threatening condition.

The communiqué stated that the individual “was detained in Monaco during the morning and placed in police custody, verification having proved necessary,” adding that “this measure was lifted in the early afternoon.” No further details were provided about the person’s identity or the nature of the checks carried out.

Investigation intensifying

Despite the release, the investigation into the attempted murder is continuing “very actively”, with the support of the French authorities, the communiqué said.

The child injured in Monday night’s explosion has now been interviewed by investigators in France. However, the two adult victims remain unable to provide statements due to their medical condition.

The Prosecutor General confirmed that the condition of the victim who was critically injured in the blast has not improved.

“Their condition has not stabilised and their life remains in danger,” the communiqué states.

Meanwhile, forensic experts continue to examine evidence recovered from the scene, including the explosive device itself, as investigators work to identify the person who left the parcel bomb outside the residential building on rue Révérend-Père-Louis-Frolla before fleeing towards neighbouring France.

The Direction de la Sûreté Publique remains fully engaged in what prosecutors described as “multiple investigative actions”, with further updates expected should there be significant developments in the case.

See also: 

Monaco bomb attack “not act of terrorism” says prosecutor general, as suspect remains on the run

Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, listen to our podcasts on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.

Image enhanced from a social media video taken from the scene