Russian investigators said they have arrested the main suspect in the assassination of the pro-war Russian blogger Vladlen Tatarsky.
Mr Tatarsky, whose real name is Max Fomin, was killed on Sunday after a bomb explosion at a cafe in Saint Petersburg.
The blast also injured at least 32 people, 24 of whom have been taken to hospital for treatment. Reports say 10 are in a serious condition.
Daria Trepova, 26, had emerged as as key suspect in the murder and her apartment was raided early this morning by OMON special police units.
Russia’s Investigative Committee has now confirmed that she has been detained by the police.
In a statement issued moments ago, they said: “On suspicion of involvement in the explosion in a cafe in St. Petersburg, employees of the Russian Investigative Committee, together with operational services, detained Daria Trepova.”
Her arrest follows the release of a video which appears to show Ms Trepova walking to the Street Food No 1 cafe and carrying a box containing what may have been a small statue containing 450g of TNT.
The 26-year-old has a track record of opposing the military campaign in Ukraine and was arrested on February 26 after taking part in an anti-war protest called “Bloody Mistress”.
Witnesses said that Trepova had approached the pro-war blogger in the moments leading up to the explosion.
According to their testimony, she told Tatarsky she had brought a sculpture of him and wanted to give it to him as a present.
However, security personnel asked her to leave it at the door of the cafe, suspecting it could be a bomb.
Tatarsky laughed and told her to go and fetch it, which she did, before presenting the bust to the pro-war blogger. He then placed it on a table nearby.
The explosion happened within three to five minutes after the exchange between the two, resulting in the death of the pro-war activist.
More to follow……
