Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Reportedly Visited Occupied Nagorno-Karabakh Where 120,000 Armenians Were Ethnically Cleansed

In August 2023, Telegram founder Pavel Durov made headlines with a visit to Azerbaijan that has since stirred controversy. While his stay in the country was initially seen as routine, revelations about his travels to Nagorno-Karabakh (known as Artsakh) have led to widespread speculation and discussion.

The news of Durov’s visit to Nagorno-Karabakh was first brought to light by Emin Aghalarov, a well-known Azerbaijani singer and former son-in-law of Azerbaijan’s President, Ilham Aliyev. During an interview with Russian journalist Ksenia Sobchak on her show, Aghalarov revealed that Durov not only explored Azerbaijan but also visited regions that had been affected by ethnic cleansing, including Nagorno-Karabakh. Aghalarov stated, "I know that he was in the regions. He was in Karabakh. In other words, he traveled everywhere, saw the whole country." He added that Durov stayed at Sea Breeze, a luxury resort owned by Aghalarov, for a few days during his visit.

Nagorno-Karabakh is a region that is indigenous to Armenians whom Azerbaijan ethnically cleansed from their homes in September 2023. The region experienced intense Azerbaijani attacks in 2020, during the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War, which resulted in Azerbaijan occupying significant portions of territory. In recent years, the area faced a blockade followed by ethnic cleansing, leading to the forced displacement of ethnic Armenians who had lived there for generations.

A still from a video showing two Armenian captives shortly before they are shot dead by Azerbaijanis in Nagorno-Karbakh, 2020.

Durov’s visit to this occupied region has raised questions about the nature of his trip. When asked by Sobchak whether Durov had met with President Aliyev, Aghalarov said he did not have any reliable information on the matter. He also downplayed rumors that Durov’s visit was connected to the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Azerbaijan around the same time, suggesting that it was likely a coincidence. Putin’s presence in Azerbaijan, however, added fuel to the speculation surrounding Durov’s trip.

The timing of Durov's travels raised eyebrows, as he arrived in Baku on August 17, shortly before Putin's own visit to Azerbaijan. While the specifics of Durov’s meetings and activities remain unclear, his visit to Nagorno-Karabakh—an area that has been a focal point of international tension—was unexpected. Some observers have wondered whether Durov’s visit had political implications, particularly given his high-profile status as the founder of Telegram, a messaging platform that is widely used across the world, including in conflict zones.

Mass exodus and ethnic cleansing of indigenous Armenians from their homeland of Artsakh, also known as Nagorno-Karabakh | September 25, 2023.

Adding another layer of intrigue to the story, on August 24, shortly after leaving Azerbaijan, Durov was arrested at the Le Bourget airport in France while traveling from Baku to Paris. The reasons for his arrest have not been made public, further contributing to the mystery surrounding his travels.

As of now, no official explanation has been provided regarding the purpose of Durov’s visit to Azerbaijan or his stop in occupied Nagorno-Karabakh. His arrest in France remains unexplained, and whether it was related to his travels in Azerbaijan or to separate issues is still unknown.

Durov, known for his creation of Telegram and his earlier success with the Russian social media platform VKontakte, has often been a controversial figure. He has publicly distanced himself from the Russian government and maintains his stance as an advocate for free speech and privacy through his platforms. However, his high-profile status and frequent travel to politically sensitive regions often draw attention and speculation about his activities.

The visit to Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh adds another chapter to the ongoing story of Durov’s complex and enigmatic public persona. Whether this visit had deeper political significance or was merely a personal or business trip remains uncertain. With tensions still high in the region, any movements or interactions by influential figures like Durov are likely to be scrutinized.