Business executive Pavel Durov was arrested after the French police issued a warrant as he landed in the country in his private jet. During his detention, Pavel Durov was accompanied by Juli Vavilova and a bodyguard.
According to officials, the 39-year-old billionaire violated several legal parameters on his app, Telegram, as the messaging program failed to cooperate with enforcement on matters of drug trafficking, child content, and fraud.
Moreover, the app had previously faced complaints about its usage for restricted content organized by large groups to spread their agendas, and it even became a ground for Russian conspiracies.
Authorities have linked Telegram’s use to pro-democracy protests in Belarus, Russia, Hong Kong, and Iran, ultimately leading to Pavel Durov’s arrest.
During his trips to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Azerbaijan, Pavel #Durov was accompanied by 24-year-old "crypto coach" and streamer Yulia Vavilova💄, who resides in Dubai. She was also with him at the time of his arrest in France.
— Russian Market (@runews) August 25, 2024
Up until August 24, she had been actively… pic.twitter.com/I8DSxPOgMI
Likewise, French police claim Telegram has become a breeding ground for criminal activities due to its lack of moderation and the use of cryptocurrencies, which has become a severe issue for users.
Soon after the news of his capture made headlines, many wanted to learn more about his companion, Juli Vavilova, whom the authorities immediately released.
Right before his arrest, Vavilova shared Instagram posts on several occasions, spending quality time with Durov in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. She even posted pictures inside his private jet and sports cars.
This made many question the relationship between Pavel Durov and Juli Vavilova. Still, their connection remains a mystery, as Durov has been restrained from providing any personal information for legal reasons.
Juli Vavilova is a crypto investor and a full-time streamer with over ten thousand followers on Twitch!
Juli Vavilova lived in Dubai while balancing her life as a 24-year-old entrepreneur and often talked about it on her regular streams, which garnered over 30k views on average.
According to her Instagram account, the gamer can speak several languages, including English, Russian, Spanish, and Arabic.
One of the last photos of Pavel Durov at large was taken in Azerbaijan on August 11. Presumably, it shows him with the same blonde with whom he was detained this evening by French gendarmes. pic.twitter.com/JtvSTzhEPF
— S p r i n t e r (@SprinterFamily) August 24, 2024
Due to her active status on social platforms, authorities could track Durov. At the same time, their plans for a private trip to Paris led to speculations that Vavilova secretly helped with his arrest.
After the Telegram CEO appeared before the public to face his charges, many Twitter users doubted his companion.
One wrote, “It feels like a movie twist. Never trust a random woman when you’re under the scrutiny of so many countries. I can’t understand how Pavel didn’t verify this girl despite Telegram’s many verification steps.“
However, Vavilova cannot be blamed entirely. The authorities tracked Durov’s activities for several months, including the route of his private jet, ultimately leading to his unfortunate end.
The woman who accompanied Pavel Durov on his journey that led to his arrest is Juli Vavilova pic.twitter.com/QEKFn8i9hy
— AnonTroyanoVirus303.🎩🍀 Anonymous 🇯🇵 Kamikaze (@AnonTroyano303) August 26, 2024
If convicted, Durov could face up to 20 years in prison. Because of the potential risks of arrest, he avoided traveling to Europe and instead chose to travel to Arabian and South American countries.
Soon after his arrests, his company released a press statement claiming, “We want to reassure everyone that the TON Community remains fully operational. As a community committed to the right to free speech and decentralization, we stand firmly by Pavel’s side during this difficult time.”
Protestors also held a rally in Moscow to support the businessperson, bringing paper planes to the French embassy.
Additional Information
- Pavel Valeryevich Durov, born on October 10, 1984, has citizenship in four countries: Russia, Saint Kitts, UAE, and France, as well as European Union citizenship.
- As of 2024, the businessman’s astonishing net worth is $15.5 billion, amassed from his work on Telegram Messenger Inc. and the social networking site VK.
- Since 2010, Durov has fathered more than 100 children via sperm donation in more than 12 nations despite not having a wife yet.
