Unraveling the mystery: Juli Vavilova’s role in Telegram CEO’s arrest
PTC News Desk: Juli Vavilova, a 24-year-old crypto coach and video game streamer, has recently gone missing, sparking online speculation about her potential involvement in the arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov in France. Durov, who has been in exile since 2014 due to his refusal to comply with Kremlin demands for encrypted data, has faced increasing scrutiny from international law enforcement.
French authorities issued a search warrant for Durov as part of an ongoing investigation by the Interior Ministry into alleged crimes against minors. These include accusations of complicity in global drug trafficking and pedophilia, attributed to Telegram’s minimal moderation and the platform’s use of cryptocurrencies.
Reports indicate that Ms. Vavilova was traveling with Durov prior to his arrest. She has not been heard from since his detention at Le Bourget airport near Paris over the past weekend. Her family has expressed growing concern, revealing to AFP that they have been unable to reach her since the incident.
French privacy data researcher Baptiste Robert has suggested that Vavilova’s social media activity might have had implications for Durov’s arrest. Robert noted that her posts, which documented her travels with Durov, may have inadvertently disclosed his location. “It’s difficult to determine if her posts directly contributed to his arrest, but her social media activity allowed followers to track his movements,” Robert told the NY Post.
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Robert’s analysis of Vavilova’s posts on X (formerly Twitter) reveals a notable alignment between her travel itinerary and Durov’s known movements. This includes videos from their time together in Uzbekistan and a photo showing Vavilova in the passenger seat of Durov’s car in Azerbaijan on August 21.
Additional posts indicate they visited the same shooting range and hotel in Baku. Despite their apparent close connection, the exact nature of their relationship remains unclear. Both are based in Dubai, where Telegram is headquartered.
The coincidence of Vavilova’s disappearance and Durov’s arrest has fueled theories that she might have been used as part of a honey-trap to apprehend the elusive tech billionaire. However, no concrete evidence has emerged linking her to any such scheme.
Durov’s company has stated that the 39-year-old CEO was not in hiding or on the run, as he frequently traveled to Europe in his capacity as a dual-French citizen.
Also Read: Telegram chief Pavel Durov arrested over alleged ‘lack of moderation’ on app