Who is Juli Vavilova? Mysterious woman linked to arrest of Telegram CEO

Pavel Durov, the billionaire CEO and founder of the widely-used messaging app Telegram, was arrested by French authorities on Saturday evening at Le Bourget airport. Durov, often dubbed "Russia's Mark Zuckerberg," faces multiple charges, including the alleged facilitation of criminal activities on his platform, which boasts around 900 million active users.

Fishy arrest

Durov wasn’t alone at the time of his arrest; accompanying him was a mysterious woman, later identified as 24-year-old Juli Vavilova. Vavilova, a crypto coach and streamer from Dubai, is believed to be Durov's girlfriend, sparking widespread speculation about her potential involvement in the circumstances leading to his 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

Internet theories abound regarding Vavilova’s role in the situation. Some suggest that she may have been under surveillance or investigation, inadvertently leading authorities to Durov. Others speculate that her actions might have drawn unwanted attention to both herself and Durov, or even that she may have been knowingly involved in the events leading up to the arrest.

About Juli Vavilova, who is she?

Vavilova, who is fluent in four languages—English, Russian, Spanish, and Arabic—has a notable online presence, with over 20,000 followers on Instagram. Her interests span gaming, cryptocurrency, languages, and mindset, according to her profile.

The couple’s relationship appears to be close, with numerous sightings together in various countries, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Azerbaijan, all documented on Vavilova’s Instagram stories and highlights.

Their arrival in Paris on a private jet just before the arrest further underscores the depth of their connection, though the exact nature of their relationship remains unclear. As investigations continue, the involvement of Vavilova in Durov’s arrest remains a focal point of intrigue.