Russia's biggest social network, VKontakte, has appointed the son of a prominent state media executive to replace founder Pavel Durov as its CEO.
In a statement on September 18, VKontakte said its new chief is Boris Dobrodeyev, who it said has "de facto been the CEO since April."
Dobrodeyev is the son of Oleg Dobrodeyev, the head of Russia's biggest state-owned media holding VGTRK, which includes Rossiya television.
VKontakte has over 270 million accounts and was used by activists to organize anti-government protets in 2011-2012.
Durov sold his stake in the company earlier this year following a shareholder dispute and left the country, saying it is impossible to do business in Russia.
Internet group Mail.Ru, controlled by Kremlin-friendly tycoon Alisher Usmanov, became VKontakte's sole owner this week after buying a 48 percent share.
Boris Dobrodeyev is a former member of Mail.ru's board.
Based on reporting by AFP and ITAR-TASS
