How Much Money the Paris Prosecutor's Office Demands for Durov's Release: Monde

The Paris Prosecutor's Office has requested that the bail amount for Telegram founder Pavel Durov's release be set at €20 million, rather than the €5 million confirmed by the investigating judge, reports Monde, citing sources.

"The Paris Prosecutor's Office has asked for a bail of €20 million, which is to be accompanied by the usual judicial control measures, as regularly reported to the police, with the obligation to remain in France and notify of any changes to residence. As a result, the judge reduced the amount to €5 million," the newspaper writes.

The publication notes that the bail amount seems insignificant compared to the businessman's wealth, although there is no exact assessment of it. Durov's wealth was a key factor for the French judiciary, particularly regarding the funds he could quickly access, as the bail must be sufficient to ensure that the billionaire does not leave French territory.

During his arrest at the end of August, Durov informed investigators that his salary was just 1 AED per year (approximately 25 rubles); however, his personal financial worth is estimated between $9 and $15.5 billion, the publication states.

Additionally, the newspaper cites some of Durov's expenses in recent years, against which the bail appears minimal. In 2023, Durov offered approximately €8.5 million for a personal license plate at a charity auction in Dubai. He did not win the lot as his bid surpassed another anonymous buyer, according to the article.

Moreover, from December 2020 to December 2022, the entrepreneur paid €4 million for travels with Irina Bolgari and their children, particularly to the Maldives and Sardinia. The entrepreneur himself did not participate in those trips.