DOCTORS were rushed to help the woman accused of killing a pro-Putin blogger after she was interrogated for nine hours, it is reported.
Daria Trepova, 26, was arrested after Russian propagandist Vladlen Tatarsky, 40, died on Sunday when a bomb ripped through a St Petersburg café where he was giving a talk.
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The former art student was paraded in a glass cage on Tuesday as she appeared in court in Moscow, charged with terrorist offences.
But it is understood Trepova became disorientated and needed medical assistance as investigators interrogated her.
She admitted giving a statuette to hardline war supporter Tatarsky, who had more than half a million social media followers.
Trepova has, however, denied being aware the gold-coloured statuette depicting Tatarsky was stuffed with explosives, it is understood.
“I was set up. I was just being used,” she reportedly told state investigators.
Trepova was subjected to nine hours of interrogation recorded on video after she was moved to Moscow where she was formally arrested, Ren TV – which has close law enforcement contacts – reported.
The channel reported: “During the interrogation Trepova complained of feeling unwell, saying that she could not hear well and could not get her bearings.
“Medics were called in to examine and assist Daria.
“According to preliminary reports, the woman’s condition may have been caused by concussion [as a result of the blast]”.
Trepova could be jailed for up to 20 years if convicted.
Footage shows Tatarsky engaging with the woman accused of his slaughter just seconds before the bomb went off.
In the video, Trepova, who was arrested on Monday, can be seen backing away after handing the suspected bomb over.
Trepova appears to be trying to edge out of the room – possibly to escape the explosion – as Tatarsky asks her to sit at the front with him.
Eventually, she compromises by taking a seat near the front but to the side, several metres away from the bomb.
She can be seen raising her hands as she takes her seat in the café – perhaps to shield herself – moments before the screen goes dark as the bomb goes off.
It isn’t known how Tatarsky knew Trepova, and what reason she had given for why she was presenting him with the statuette.
Further distressing footage appears to show the exact moment the bomb – which was disguised as a statuette of Tatarsky – detonates after the blogger placed it back in its packaging.
While a third short clip shows former art student Trepova exiting the cafe moments after the explosion, as blood-soaked victims emerge from the blast.
She can be seen quietly leaving the scene in the chaotic aftermath of the attack.
Russia’s health ministry said 40 other people had been injured in the blast, and 25 were still in hospital on Tuesday morning.
Russia’s Investigative Committee said it has charged Trepova with committing “a terrorist act by an organised group that caused intentional death”.
Prosecutors alleged she had acted under instructions from people working on behalf of Ukraine.
Trepova’s husband said he believes she had been framed and had not known the statue contained explosives.
But it has been claimed Putin personally ordered Tatarsky’s assassination and will use it to crush his rivals.
Meanwhile, underground anti-establishment group, known as the National Republic Army (NRA), appeared to claim to be behind the attack.
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