Telegram co‑founder Ilija Perekopski seeks Bosnian citizenship amid unfulfilled investment promises

Ilija Perekopski, a Russian citizen and one of the founders of the Russian social networks VK and Telegram, has applied for citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The application, submitted by the Business Chamber of Republika Srpska, states that he will take over the Banja Luka‑based firm EVA Genesis and invest significant funds in the country's economy. EVA Genesis, founded in April 2025 with a capital of 1 KM and currently owned by Ljudmila Budilova, has provided little public information about its operations. Budilova herself received Bosnian citizenship earlier on the basis of promised large‑scale investments that have not materialised. Perekopski’s request includes a temporary residence permit granted in March 2024 and a security clearance from Bosnia’s intelligence agency. The Council of Ministers must reach a consensus to approve the citizenship, with ministers from the ruling SNSD and HDZ parties expected to support the proposal.

The case raises questions about the credibility of the promised investments and the use of citizenship programmes to attract foreign entrepreneurs, amid scrutiny of the firm’s actual economic impact.