Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Arrested in Paris: Detention Extended Amid Serious Allegations

Pavel Durov, the Russian-born founder of Telegram, remains in French custody after his arrest at Le Bourget airport near Paris. Durov, 39, was detained on Saturday upon arriving from Baku on a private jet. French authorities extended his detention as part of an investigation into allegations of fraud, drug trafficking, organized crime, promotion of terrorism, and cyberbullying linked to the use of his messaging platform.

Durov, who holds French and UAE citizenship, has been accused of failing to curb criminal activities on Telegram. Despite this, Telegram issued a statement asserting compliance with EU laws, including the Digital Services Act, and emphasizing that Durov has nothing to hide.

The Russian government has criticized France’s handling of the situation, accusing it of avoiding cooperation. The Russian embassy in Paris has requested access to Durov, but so far, their efforts have been unsuccessful.

Durov, who left Russia in 2014 after refusing to bow to Kremlin demands to shut down opposition groups on his previous platform, VK, has since made Telegram a global force with over 950 million active users. The app’s robust encryption and minimal moderation have made it popular among extremists and conspiracy theorists, raising concerns among Western governments.

Prominent figures, including Elon Musk and Tucker Carlson, have voiced support for Durov, framing his arrest as a warning to those who resist governmental pressures to censor content. The case continues to unfold as the French judiciary considers further action.