Telegram CEO Pavel Durov is under investigation in Switzerland for alleged child abuse following a criminal complaint filed by his former partner, Irina Bolgar. The allegations surfaced after Durov’s recent arrest in France and are part of a broader legal dispute that includes claims of unpaid child support and a contentious custody battle.
According to an Aug. 28 Forbes report, Bolgar filed a criminal complaint against Durov in March 2023, alleging that the Telegram CEO had been aggressive and physically violent toward one of the couple’s children. A civil child custody suit was also filed by Bolgar shortly after.
The child abuse case against Durov centers around allegations that he physically harmed his youngest son on five occasions between 2021 and 2022, resulting in injuries such as a concussion along with persistent sleep disorders.
The investigation includes evidence such as message transcripts exchanged between Bolgar and Durov in November 2021 and a medical record from April 2023 attesting that the child continued to suffer from anxiety and sleep difficulties as a result of the alleged violence.
Related: Telegram CEO Pavel Durov taken to court in Paris
Source: Mario Nawfal
The case was filed in Geneva a few months after Durov stopped paying Bolgar 150,000 euros ($167,500) per month in child support for their three children. Bolgar, believed to be a lawyer, also filed for child support in June 2024.
The Geneva Public Prosecutor’s Office initially dismissed the criminal complaint filed by his former partner because it was brought more than three months after the most recent incident. Bolgar successfully appealed in May 2023, and the case was allowed to proceed in October.
In court filings, Bolgar alleges that Durov ceased contact with their children in September 2022 and simultaneously halted the child support payments. Since then, Bolgar has reportedly relied on her 8,000 Swiss franc ($9,500) monthly salary to support the children. Forbes estimates Durov’s fortune to be worth $15.5 billion.
According to Forbes, a representative for Durov declined to comment.
Durov’s arrest
Durov was arrested in France on Aug. 24 as part of a broader investigation into several alleged crimes, including conspiracy with illegal activities, refusal to communicate to authorities, money laundering, criminal association and providing cryptology services without prior declaration.
Durov was allegedly brought before a judge on Aug. 28 as his initial detention period ended. Authorities are determining potential charges against him.
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