Telegram Owner Pavel Durov Arrested at French Airport Amid Allegations of Criminal Activity.
Pavel Durov, the Franco-Russian billionaire and CEO of Telegram, was arrested by French authorities at Le Bourget airport, located north of Paris, on Saturday evening, August 24, 2024.
The 39-year-old tech mogul, who had arrived from Baku, Azerbaijan, is expected to appear in court on Sunday to face charges related to his popular messaging app, Telegram.
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Durov’s arrest follows an ongoing investigation by France’s Office for the Prevention of Violence Against Minors (OFMIN), which had issued a warrant for his detention.
The allegations against Durov are serious, involving accusations of fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organized crime, and the promotion of terrorism.
The charges stem from claims that Telegram has failed to adequately address the criminal use of its platform.
One of the investigators involved in the case expressed surprise that Durov, fully aware of the warrant, chose to travel to Paris.
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Enough of Telegram’s impunity,” the investigator stated, highlighting the frustrations of law enforcement with the platform’s alleged inaction in curbing illegal activities.
Telegram, known for its strong stance on privacy and encryption, has positioned itself as a leading alternative to other messaging platforms like WhatsApp. The Dubai-based app boasts over 900 million active users and has been praised for its commitment to user privacy, refusing to share user data with third parties. However, this policy has also made Telegram a target for criticism, as it is accused of enabling the spread of illegal content, including neo-Nazi, pedophilic, and terrorist material.
Durov, who founded the Russian social network VK before selling it and leaving Russia in 2014, has previously stated that his decision to create Telegram was influenced by pressure from the Russian government. After leaving Russia, he attempted to settle in several cities, including Berlin, London, Singapore, and San Francisco, before ultimately choosing Dubai for its favorable business environment and neutrality.
The arrest marks a significant development in the ongoing tension between Telegram and Western governments, which have been pushing for greater regulation of online platforms to combat the spread of illegal content.
As Durov faces legal proceedings, the future of Telegram and its operations may come under increased scrutiny.
