Telegram founder and CEO, Pavel Durov, has offered to purchase the jewels stolen from the Louvre Museum in Paris and donate them back but not to the French museum itself.
The Russian-born tech billionaire made the offer following a high-profile heist in which thieves carted away several priceless artefacts, including royal tiaras and diamond jewellery once owned by French nobility. The robbery, which took place in broad daylight, has sparked global outrage and renewed questions about museum security in France.
In a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Durov wrote:
“Happy to buy the stolen jewellery and donate it back to the Louvre. I mean Louvre Abu Dhabi, of course; no one steals from Louvre Abu Dhabi.”
The 40-year-old entrepreneur’s statement, viewed by many as both sarcastic and symbolic, appeared to criticise the French authorities for their perceived decline in security and governance standards. He added that he was “not surprised” by the theft, describing it as “a reflection of France’s inability to confront real threats while focusing on imaginary ones.”
The stolen collection, worth millions of euros, included eight pieces of 19th-century royal jewellery, such as diamond tiaras, necklaces, and earrings belonging to Empress Eugénie, the wife of Emperor Napoleon III.
French police confirmed that the robbers exploited gaps in the museum’s surveillance system, with CCTV coverage and alarm systems reportedly malfunctioning during the incident. Authorities have launched an extensive investigation to track down the perpetrators and recover the stolen items.
Durov’s offer has stirred debate across social media, with some praising his philanthropic tone while others accuse him of using the tragedy to take a political jab at France — where he has previously faced scrutiny from regulators over Telegram’s operations.
The Louvre Museum has yet to comment on Durov’s proposal, while security experts say the theft underscores the urgent need for stricter cultural asset protection and advanced anti-theft technologies in major heritage institutions.
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