Telegram founder Pavel Durov and his partner, Juli Vavilova, have shared the tragic news of a miscarriage, which they believe was triggered by the stress of Durov’s recent arrest by French authorities. The couple disclosed that they lost their baby on October 4, 2024, following the high-profile investigation.
Pregnancy Discovery and Stressful Events
Vavilova revealed in a Telegram post that she first learned of her pregnancy on August 25, while sitting in a café in Paris. She described the emotional moment:
“Sitting in a Parisian café, I took the test. The result was in French: ‘Enceinte 3+.’ I ran back upstairs to translate. The shock on my face when it said ‘Pregnant.’ I felt helpless, unable to run to Pavel with the happy news, as he was still unreachable.”
Due to the early stage of the pregnancy, Vavilova’s doctor advised her to avoid any interactions with law enforcement to minimize stress. However, she ultimately complied with questioning weeks later, hoping to cooperate with authorities despite the challenges posed by her partner’s detainment.
The couple spent the following weeks adjusting to the news, with Vavilova describing it as a period of mixed emotions, filled with uncertainty and joy. Unfortunately, by October 4, Vavilova shared that she had lost the pregnancy. She expressed that the stress of Durov’s arrest and the ongoing investigation was “too much for the little one.”
Details Surrounding Durov’s Arrest
Pavel Durov was detained in France on August 24, 2024. Reports indicate that French authorities had issued arrest warrants for both Pavel and his brother, Nikolai Durov, months earlier in March 2024. Law enforcement held Durov for four days before formally charging him and releasing him. The charges cited his alleged complicity in the spread of child pornography due to what officials viewed as Telegram’s insufficient content moderation policies.
Despite the charges, French President Emmanuel Macron insisted that Durov’s arrest was not politically motivated. Macron also denied inviting Durov to France or having prior knowledge of his presence in the country. However, these statements have sparked outrage within the crypto and free speech communities, with many criticizing the French government for what they see as an attempt to suppress online freedom and promote censorship.
Crypto and Free Speech Advocates Condemn French Government
The arrest and subsequent investigation into Durov have ignited debates over digital rights and free speech. Critics argue that France’s actions target Telegram unfairly, given its reputation for secure messaging and privacy. Many have voiced concerns that the arrest is part of a broader agenda to stifle platforms that resist censorship, especially within the tech and crypto communities.
