Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Arrested in France Amid Criminal Investigation: Reports
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov is set to appear in court on Sunday following his arrest at Le Bourget airport near Paris, as confirmed by sources to a news agency.
The 39-year-old Franco-Russian billionaire was detained on Saturday after arriving from Baku, Azerbaijan. French authorities issued an arrest warrant through OFMIN, citing a preliminary investigation into allegations including fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, and organized crime, accusing Durov of not acting to prevent criminal activities on his messaging platform.
Telegram, which has gained popularity for its commitment to user privacy, has faced scrutiny for facilitating the spread of illegal content. Durov, who previously encountered pressure from the Russian government, established the app in Dubai to maintain operational independence.
Despite its growing user base of over 900 million, Telegram has been criticized for not adequately moderating harmful content, drawing comparisons to competitors like WhatsApp, which have implemented measures against misinformation.
