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Highlights
- Julia Vavilova's social media posts fueled speculation about her role in Pavel Durov's arrest by French authorities.
- Vavilova's crypto discussions on Twitch and Instagram posts from shared locations with Durov attracted attention.
- Durov is facing 12 charges in France for allegedly allowing criminal activities on Telegram, while Vavilova's involvement remained unclear.
On Saturday, August 24, French police arrested Pavel Durov, the Russian-born founder and CEO of Telegram, at Le Bourget airport near Paris. The arrest has sparked a whirlwind of speculations particularly surrounding a woman identified as Julia Vavilova. The woman was detained alongside Durov on the same day.
Is Julia Vavilova Linked To Pavel Durov’s France Detention?
The involvement of Vavilova, 24, a crypto coach and social media personality based in Dubai, has led to numerous theories regarding her potential role in Durov’s arrest. Vavilova has been dubbed a “mysterious” figure by internet users. Moreover, web sleuths fueled speculations that her social media activity may have played a part in the events leading up to Durov’s detainment.
According to sources close to the case, Pavel Durov was held for a second day of questioning on Monday. He is accused of failing to prevent various illegal activities on Telegram. Moreover, Durov now faces 12 criminal charges. Furthermore, the app has faced criticism for its alleged role in facilitating criminal activities due to its privacy features.
Much of the speculation centers around Vavilova’s recent social media posts. Baptiste Robert, the CEO of Predicta Lab, pointed to a Twitch video in which Vavilova discussed using crypto to evade Russian sanctions. In the video, Vavilova stated:
“When Russia went under sanctions, my smart friends, I’m really glad that I have my smart friends around me who educate me about crypto, who gives me opportunities, and other stuff. He just told me, the same day, send all the crypto to trust wallet.”
This revelation has led some to question whether Vavilova’s activities may have attracted the attention of law enforcement. Moreover, internet sleuths also highlighted Vavilova’s frequent posts from the same locations as Durov in the days leading up to his arrest, according to a report by News18. This further solidified claims about her involvement in the case.
Pavel Durov and Julia Vavilova had reportedly traveled together to several countries, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Azerbaijan, before arriving in France. Photos and videos posted by Vavilova on Instagram show her and Durov engaging in similar activities.
This raised questions about whether these posts may have inadvertently led authorities to them. Hence, netizens expect Vavilova to be a part of the larger scheme to apprehend the Telegram CEO. However, as of yet, such claims aren’t confirmed.
UAE Following The Case Closely
Durov’s arrest has sent shockwaves through the tech and crypto communities. He faces charges that include complicity in illegal drug trafficking and fraud, allegations that have prompted outrage among his supporters. The UAE, where Durov holds citizenship, is reportedly monitoring the situation closely and has requested urgent consular assistance for him.
A source close to the case expressed surprise at Pavel Durov’s decision to fly to France despite having a warrant against him. “Perhaps he had a feeling of impunity,” the source told AFP. This suggests that Durov may have believed he was beyond the reach of French authorities. Currently, the Telegram CEO faces an extended detention of 96 hours.
Public Reactions & France’s Official Stance
Durov’s detention has drawn widespread criticism from prominent figures, including Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino, who voiced concern over the implications of the arrest. “The arrest of Pavel Durov for enabling free speech communications through Telegram is very concerning. If we, as a society, lose the battle to defend freedom of speech and communication, nothing else won’t matter, dark ages will be our future,” Ardoino stated.
The situation has also garnered attention from high-profile individuals such as Elon Musk, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. rallying in support of Durov. Balaji Srinivasan, former Coinbase executive, hinted at Pavel Durov’s release soon. He wrote, “The UAE is closely following Durov’s case. France may not be able to hold him prisoner for long.”
Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron refuted claims of the Telegram CEO’s arrest being a political event. He clarified, “The arrest of the president of Telegram on French soil took place as part of an ongoing judicial investigation. It is in no way a political decision. It is up to the judges to rule on the matter.”
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