Pavel Durov, CEO of Telegram, Arrested in Paris
Reports from French media indicate that Pavel Durov, the co-founder and CEO of the messaging app Telegram, was arrested at an airport in Paris after arriving on his private jet from Azerbaijan.
The billionaire Russian exile was taken into custody at Le Bourget airport by French authorities as part of a preliminary investigation into Durov and his encrypted messaging app, which has a user base of 900 million worldwide.
Law enforcement suspects that Telegram’s lack of moderation and features like cryptocurrencies contribute to illegal activities such as drug trafficking, pedophilia, and fraud. The search warrant for Durov was only valid upon his arrival in France.
Durov, a tech entrepreneur known for VKontakte and Telegram, resides in Dubai and holds citizenship in France and the United Arab Emirates.
In 2014, Durov left Russia after refusing to comply with government demands related to user data and community censorship. He has since lived in self-imposed exile due to his belief that Russia was not conducive to internet business at the time.
During an interview with Tucker Carlson, Durov expressed his commitment to freedom and privacy, stating that his mission in life was to enable others to be free.
Telegram, known for its privacy features, has faced criticism for enabling illicit communications. However, Durov maintains that the platform is neutral and not involved in geopolitics.
With an estimated net worth of $15.5 billion, Durov faces charges related to terrorism, narcotics, fraud, and other offenses. He is expected to appear before a judge soon.
Despite the controversies surrounding Telegram, Durov remains committed to defending users’ privacy and freedom of speech.
Stay tuned for updates on the case as Pavel Durov’s legal proceedings unfold in France.
