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Dubai safer than European cities, says Telegram CEO Pavel Durov; Elon Musk agrees
His comments come amid regional developments involving missile and drone interceptions, though authorities have said security systems remain fully operational
- PUBLISHED: Mon 2 Mar 2026, 7:58 AM UPDATED: Mon 2 Mar 2026, 8:26 AM
[Editor's Note: Follow Khaleej Times live blog amid Israeli, US strikes on Iran for the latest regional developments.]
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has said Dubai remains statistically safer than many European cities, even amid ongoing regional missile threats.
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In a post on X on Sunday, March 1, Durov wrote that he had temporarily relocated to Europe a week earlier.
“Unfortunately, I had to leave Dubai for Europe — so I’m not only missing the free fireworks from Iran, but also exposing myself to greater risk. Given Europe’s crime rates, Dubai is statistically safer even with missiles flying. Can’t wait to be back.”
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The post has been viewed more than 3.4 million times. Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk responded, writing: “No country is perfect, but Dubai and UAE broadly are objectively safer and better run than many areas of Europe.”
Data from Numbeo’s 2026 Crime Index shows Dubai with a crime score of around 15–16 and a safety index above 84, placing it among the world’s lower-crime major cities. Other UAE cities, including Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, also rank highly in safety metrics.
Several European urban centres report higher crime index scores, with residents in parts of France and the UK citing concerns over theft and violent crime.
Many users on X welcomed the remarks, with some pointing to crime statistics and safety rankings to support his assertion.
Durov has based Telegram’s operations in Dubai since 2017. His comments come amid regional developments involving missile and drone interceptions, though authorities have said security systems remain fully operational.
Security analysts say that while geopolitical risks affect the wider region, the UAE continues to maintain low street crime rates and strict law enforcement standards.
Mazhar Farooqui, or Maz, is a multiple award-winning investigative journalist and Senior Editor at Khaleej Times. Renowned for exposing corruption and uncovering major scams, he is also the author of The Maz Files: Scoops, Scams & Showdowns.
