Tengrinews.kz - Telegram CEO Pavel Durov considered the possibility of relocating Irina Bolgar and their children to Paris in 2018, according to Politico.
Tengrinews.kz - Telegram CEO Pavel Durov considered the possibility of relocating Irina Bolgar and their children to Paris in 2018, according to Politico.
Irina Bolgar, who had previously claimed to be the mother of the businessman’s three children, reported signing a lease agreement for a house in Neuilly-sur-Seine at a rate of 105,000 euros per month.
According to her, her relationship with Durov lasted from 2013 to 2022—initially in Russia and then at a distance when Durov moved to the UAE, where recognizing their children born out of wedlock became problematic. She moved to Europe with the children but maintained family relations with Durov until 2022.
"In 2018, when we arrived in Europe, we had the idea of settling in France," Bolgar explained.
Bolgar reported that she was exploring educational opportunities for the children and signed a lease agreement for a new home in France. Durov agreed to cover all rental expenses. Although he did not plan to live in the house, he intended to visit Bolgar and the children. However, Bolgar later decided against relocating and terminated the lease, settling in Geneva instead. She continued to meet with Durov in Paris, including stays at hotels like the Ritz.
Until 2022, Bolgar and Durov continued to discuss plans to purchase property either in Geneva or the Paris area. They considered options costing between 50 to 100 million euros. Bolgar visited some properties and discussed them with Durov.
Their relationship ended definitively in 2022, and legal proceedings are ongoing in Switzerland, where Bolgar resides.
The publication reports that France has reached out to Switzerland regarding the allegations made in the legal disputes between Bolgar and Durov.
Recall that earlier, the founder of Telegram published a statement where he commented for the first time on his detention in France. The 39-year-old Durov faces several charges related to failing to take measures to prevent the spread of extremist and illegal content on the popular messenger.