Pavel Durov, the billionaire creator of the encrypted messaging app Telegram, has reportedly been detained in France, according to local media outlets.
The 39-year-old was allegedly arrested after his private jet landed at Le Bourget airport situated on the outskirts of Paris.
Sources cited by French media, BFMTV and TF1, suggest Durov’s arrest is linked to an investigation into Telegram’s moderation and possible criminal activities on Telegram, However, neither French police, the Interior Ministry, nor Telegram have yet commented on these allegations.
Telegram, known for its strong encryption and privacy, has nearly a billion users and is particularly popular in Russia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet states. The platform is a vital tool for pro-democracy movements and has been a significant source of information regarding Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Despite its widespread use, Telegram has been criticized for enabling criminal activities such as money laundering, drug trafficking, and the spread of illegal content. The app has also been utilized by far-right activists, which recently led to unrest in the UK.
Durov’s arrest comes as a surprise to many, as Telegram has been praised for maintaining a neutral stance amid geopolitical tensions. Durov, who became a French citizen in August 2021, has been known for his commitment to keeping the app free from political interference.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has announced that it is taking steps to confirm the details surrounding Durov’s arrest. The founder left Russia in 2014 after his previous social media company, VKontakte (VK), was taken over following his refusal to comply with government demands to shut down opposition groups.
Mr Durov was naturalised as French in August 2021 and is also a citizen of the United Arab Emirates.
Writing on X, US commentator Tucker Carlson believes Mr Durov has been detained in France because of his refusal to “censor the truth”. In an interview with the American TV personality in April, Mr Durov said he was determined to keep Telegram “neutral” and “free from geopolitics”.
