In Monaco, a 42-year-old Ukrainian citizen has been taken into custody as part of an investigation into the death of Antoine de Massy, a 29-year-old member of the princely family and relative of the reigning Prince Albert II. The man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and failure to assist a person in danger.
Le Figaro reported this on October 28, citing the Monaco Public Prosecutor's Office.
According to the prosecutor's office, the detainee is a Ukrainian citizen who has been a permanent resident of the principality for about 30 years. His name has not been officially released.
After the initial investigative steps were completed on October 28, a judicial investigation was opened and assigned to an investigating judge. By court order, the suspect was placed in pretrial detention.
Monaco's Attorney General Stéphane Thibault specified that the investigation is considering two possible offenses that may have been committed at different times. However, the specific actions of which the Ukrainian is suspected have not yet been disclosed in detail.
During initial questioning, the man denied the charges against him. After the case was transferred to the investigating judge, he exercised his right to remain silent.
What is known about the death of the prince's relative
The body of Antoine de Massy was found on Sunday, October 25, in a square near the Larvotto coastal area.
According to Le Parisien, relatives of the young man contacted police after he failed to appear at a planned family lunch and stopped responding to calls.
A forensic examination showed that the likely cause of death was a fall from a height of about 13 meters. It is believed that the man fell from Larvotto Boulevard onto an area behind one of the buildings.
Review of CCTV footage allowed investigators to identify a person who was near Antoine de Massy shortly before his death. He turned out to be the subsequently detained Ukrainian citizen.
As reported by TF1, according to sources, Antoine was seen leaving a nightclub on the night from Saturday to Sunday. The young man was unsteady on his feet, and a man accompanying him was helping him walk.
These circumstances are being verified by the investigation. It is not yet established what exactly preceded the fall and what role the suspect may have played. The possibility of an accident has not been ruled out.
Who was the deceased
Antoine de Massy was a relative of Prince Albert II of Monaco. He was the grandson of Princess Antoinette, the elder sister of Prince Rainier III, the father of the current ruler of the principality.
The young man was engaged in business activities and was fond of tennis. His family had been associated with the development of this sport in Monaco for many years.
After the news of Antoine's death, the princely palace issued a statement in which Albert II and Princess Charlene expressed condolences to the relatives of the deceased.
As clarified by Riviera Radio, the further investigation is expected to establish the exact sequence of events that led to the deadly fall. Investigators will continue examining video footage, forensic results, and witness statements.
At this time, the guilt of the detained Ukrainian citizen has not been established. Pretrial detention is a procedural measure during the investigation, not an admission of guilt.
