Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Arrested in Paris on Multiple Charges
Pavel Durov, the billionaire founder and CEO of Telegram, was arrested at Le Bourget airport in Paris on Saturday, according to French news channel TF1. The arrest occurred as Durov, 39, disembarked from his private jet following a flight from Azerbaijan.
Durov, a French-Russian dual national, faces a litany of serious charges including terrorism, drug trafficking, fraud, money laundering, and receiving stolen goods. The arrest warrant, issued by OFMIN—a division of the French judicial police—was triggered by Durov’s alleged complicity in various criminal activities and his lack of cooperation with law enforcement.
TF1 reported that Durov had carefully planned his travel route to avoid countries where he risked arrest, but his luck ran out when he landed on French soil. “He made a big mistake this evening,” a source close to the investigation commented. The source added that Durov is expected to be placed in pretrial detention and could face up to 20 years in prison.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has intervened, with officials seeking clarification on Durov’s arrest. Meanwhile, Russian politicians and commentators, including Vladislav Davankov and Mikhail Ulyanov, have expressed outrage, suggesting the arrest is politically motivated.
Durov, who left Russia in 2014 after defying government demands to censor opposition content on his former social media platform VK, has long positioned Telegram as a defender of free speech. However, the app has faced criticism for its lax moderation policies and has been linked to the spread of misinformation and hate speech.
Global Backlash as Telegram Founder Faces Criminal Charges
Durov’s arrest has sparked international reactions, with some viewing it as an attack on free speech. American commentator Tucker Carlson claimed Durov’s detention is a warning to those who resist government censorship. Telegram, with over 900 million active users, has been embroiled in controversy over its privacy policies and its perceived underinvestment in user security.
As Durov awaits his court appearance, the world watches to see how this high-profile case will unfold.
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