Who is Pavel Durov? Facts about Telegram CEO arrested in France who once claimed to have fathered 100 kids

Pavel Durov, the CEO and founder of popular messaging app Telegram, was arrested by French authorities on Saturday evening (Aug 24) at Le Bourget airport near Paris. Durov, who was travelling from Azerbaijan in a private jet, was detained at around 20:00 (18:00 GMT), according to AFP reports.

France’s OFMIN, an agency focussed on preventing violence against minors, issued an arrest warrant for Pavel Durov, according to AFP. The agency is investigating the failure of Telegram to curb fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organised crime, and promotion of terrorism on the messaging app.

Here’s what you need to know about its founder: 

Who Is Pavel Durov?

Pavel Durov, 39, is the founder and CEO of Telegram, a messaging app that offers a free alternative to platforms like WhatsApp and WeChat.

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With a net worth, estimated by Forbes, at $15.5 billion, Durov left Russia in 2014. His departure followed his refusal to comply with a Russian court order demanding access to Telegram’s encrypted messages. This led to Russia blocking the app in 2018, though the ban had little effect on its availability and use. The move sparked widespread protests in Moscow and drew criticism from NGOs.

In August 2021, Durov became a French citizen. He moved himself and Telegram to Dubai in 2017. Reports indicate that he has also acquired citizenship in the United Arab Emirates and St. Kitts and Nevis, a Caribbean nation.

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In an April interview with Tucker Carlson, Durov emphasised his preference for freedom over following order, revealing that his search for a suitable base for his company took him through cities like Berlin, London, Singapore, and San Francisco.

During the interview, Durov also mentioned that, aside from money and Bitcoin, he does not own significant assets like real estate, jets, or yachts, highlighting his commitment to personal freedom.

Fathered over 100 children through sperm donation

Pavel Durov has also made headlines recently by revealing on Telegram that he has fathered over 100 children across 12 countries through sperm donation. “I just discovered I have more than 100 biological kids. How could this happen when I’ve never been married and prefer to live alone?” Durov wrote.

He explained that 15 years ago, a close friend struggling with infertility asked him to donate sperm. 

(With inputs from agencies)