Was Juli Vavilova Key to Telegram CEO Durov’s Arrest?
On a seemingly ordinary Saturday evening, the tech world was jolted by the unexpected news of Pavel Durov, the CEO of Telegram, being apprehended by French police at Le Bourget airport. The arrest, part of an investigation into alleged criminal activities spread through Telegram, a messaging app with around 900 million users, also saw the detention of Juli Vavilova, a 24-year-old woman believed to be Durov’s girlfriend.
The arrest sparked the digital world with rumors sparked by a social media post featuring a photo of Juli Vavilova on a plane. This post and others suggested that her social media activity might have inadvertently aided authorities in tracking Durov’s location. However, it’s crucial to remember that Durov had been under surveillance for some time before his arrest.
Who is Juli Vavilova?
Juli Vavilova is a 24-year-old crypto coach and streamer based in Dubai. She has over 22,000 Instagram followers and speaks multiple languages, including English, Russian, Spanish, and Arabic. Her interests include gaming and cryptocurrency. Vavilova and Durov have been frequently seen together in various locations, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Azerbaijan. They had recently arrived in Paris on a private jet before their arrest.
The woman who accompanied Pavel Durov on his journey that led to his arrest is Juli Vavilova
It's #OSINT time! https://t.co/4ejQfRT8lt pic.twitter.com/asJlUG0Ui5
— Baptiste Robert (@fs0c131y) August 25, 2024
Speculations and Conspiracy Theories
There has been speculation about Vavilova’s role in the situation, with some even suggesting she might be a Mossad agent. However, these claims are unsubstantiated, and no official confirmation or evidence has supported these theories.
Following the arrest, Telegram said Durov “has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe.” They emphasized that the platform adheres to EU laws, including the Digital Services Act, and rejected claims that Telegram or its owner are responsible for the platform’s misuse.