Telegram CEO Arrested in France on Child Abuse Charges -

PARIS: Pavel Durov, founder and CEO of Telegram, who was detained in France on charges related to the app’s management of illegal content, is now under investigation for alleged “serious acts of violence” against one of his children. The investigation was recently initiated by the French child welfare office concerning Durov’s son, born in 2017, who resides in Switzerland with his mother.

Allegations of Violence

The source revealed that the alleged incidents of violence occurred in Paris. The boy’s mother lodged a complaint in Switzerland last year, accusing Durov of violent behavior towards their son.

Durov’s former partner, who has three children with him—including two boys and a girl—reported the incidents. According to the Paris prosecutor’s office, the purpose of the French investigation is to coordinate with Swiss authorities to ensure that no duplication of the investigation occurs, as the case may be under review in Switzerland.

Details of the Complaint

The complaint, submitted to the judicial authorities in Geneva, reveals that Durov, 39, and his partner, 44, were never married but have three children born in 2013, 2016, and 2017. The allegations specify that Durov was violent towards their youngest son on five occasions between 2021 and 2022, both in Switzerland and elsewhere.

Court documents indicate that the child suffered from anxiety, bed-wetting, and frequent sleep disturbances as a result of the alleged abuse. One specific allegation details an incident in November 2021 in Paris, where Durov reportedly slapped the child, then lifted and shook him.

Statements from Involved Parties

The criminal complaint does not explicitly name Durov, his former partner, or their children but includes references to the children’s birth years and other relevant details. The mother’s Geneva-based attorney, Karim Charaf, emphasized that she has acted to safeguard her children’s interests in Switzerland but refrained from commenting on the French legal proceedings.

Durov’s lawyer has not provided any statements regarding the case.

Recent Developments

Durov, a Russian national, was apprehended at Le Bourget airport near Paris on Saturday. As of Wednesday evening, he has been charged with several violations related to Telegram but has been released under the condition that he cannot leave France.

Reports from the Russian edition of Forbes indicate that Durov has five children with two women, including three from his current relationship. He has also participated in a sperm donation program, which he claims has resulted in him fathering over 100 children.

Source: AFP