- Data Sources
- Durov's Travels
- Public Statements and Arrest
Pavel Durov, co-founder and CEO of Telegram, has reportedly visited Russia more than 50 times between 2015 and 2021, according to a recent report by independent news outlet Important Stories.
Data Sources
The report is based on data on Durov's movements leaked from the Federal Security Service of Russia (FSB), the country’s principal intelligence agency. Cointelegraph has not independently verified Important Stories' claims. Telegram did not immediately respond to Cointelegraph's request for comment.
Durov's Travels
According to the report, the data was leaked no later than August 20 and hidden again on August 26. Important Stories partially verified the data through an interview with an investigator affiliated with Alexei Navalny, a Russian opposition leader. Durov reportedly did not attempt to conceal his travels. He flew between St. Petersburg and various European cities on commercial Aeroflot flights and traveled from Russia to Helsinki on Russian Railway trains. Important Stories claims that Durov visited Russia at least 50 times from 2015 to 2021, except for the period between 2018 and 2020.
Public Statements and Arrest
In an April interview with Tucker Carlson, Durov claimed he does not travel to places that do not align with Telegram's values, including Russia. "I travel to places where I have confidence that those places are consistent with what we do and our values. I don't go to any of the big geopolitical powers, countries like China or Russia or even the US," Durov told the conservative American journalist. In 2018, the Russian government banned Telegram for refusing to provide state agencies with access to users' encrypted messages. The ban was lifted in 2020. On August 24, Durov was arrested in France on charges of failing to adequately moderate illegal activities on the platform, which French authorities claim have been used for drug trafficking, fraud, and organized crime.
Pavel Durov has remained in the public eye and under scrutiny from various countries' authorities due to his activities and statements. Increased attention to his travels and opinions underscores the complexity and controversy surrounding the famous entrepreneur.
