French prosecutors have sought additional information from Switzerland regarding allegations made against Telegram founder Pavel Durov for purported acts of violence against one of his children. The accusations were brought forth by Irina Bolgar, Durov's former partner and the mother of the child, who filed a legal complaint in a Geneva court in March 2023.
Bolgar revealed that she had a relationship with Durov from early 2013 to 2022, during which they had three children together. Despite their marriage not being officially registered, the children were acknowledged and carried their father's surname. The legal complaint filed in Switzerland alleges that Durov engaged in violence against one of their children, specifically targeting his youngest son on multiple occasions between 2021 and 2022.
Following these allegations, Durov, aged 39, was arrested at Paris's Bourget Airport on a warrant related to Telegram's content moderation policies. The messaging platform has faced scrutiny for its use by extremist groups. Durov was subsequently released from custody but is required to remain in France under judicial supervision, with a substantial bail set at 5 million euros.
The complaint against Durov details the impact of the alleged incidents on the child, including anxiety, sleep disturbances, bedwetting, and nightmares. Bolgar claimed that Durov had not seen his children since September 2022 and had ceased providing financial support, despite earlier commitments.
French President Emmanuel Macron clarified that he was unaware of Durov's presence in France and emphasized that the arrest was an independent action by the French justice system. Macron defended the decision to grant Durov French nationality in 2021, citing the entrepreneur's efforts to learn the French language.
Durov, known as the 'Mark Zuckerberg of Russia,' left the country in 2014 and currently resides in Dubai, where Telegram is headquartered. Despite his significant wealth and global lifestyle, concerns have been raised about Telegram's role in facilitating illicit activities, including its use by terrorist groups.
