Pavel Durov, the CEO and co-founder of the popular messaging app Telegram, was arrested by French police on Saturday evening at Le Bourget Airport, located north of Paris.
The arrest occurred as Durov’s private jet landed at the airport, according to French media reports.
Durov, a 39-year-old Russian entrepreneur, was detained under a warrant related to issues involving Telegram, the messaging platform he co-founded.
The arrest happened around 8 p.m. local time (6 p.m. GMT) as Durov arrived from Azerbaijan. He is expected to appear in a French court on Sunday, August 25, 2024.
The Russian embassy in France has stated that it is taking “immediate steps” to understand and address the situation.
According to Russia’s TASS state news agency, the embassy has not received an official appeal from Durov’s team but is actively working to resolve the matter.
Telegram, which Durov founded in 2013 with his brother Nikolai, has faced legal issues in several countries due to its stance on user privacy.
The app is known for its end-to-end encryption and has become popular in Russia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet states. It boasts about 900 million active users worldwide.
In 2018, Telegram was banned in Russia after Durov refused to comply with government demands to hand over user data.
This move was part of a broader crackdown on online freedoms in the country. The Russian government argued that Telegram could not be used to coordinate illegal activities. However, the ban was lifted in 2021, following negotiations between Durov and Russian authorities.
Durov has been a prominent figure in the tech world, known for his resistance to governmental pressure. Before founding Telegram, Durov was the creator of VKontakte (VK), a major social media platform in Russia.
In 2014, he sold VK and left Russia after refusing to shut down opposition communities that were critical of the Russian government.
His departure from Russia and the sale of VK were pivotal moments in his career, leading him to establish Telegram. Durov’s decision to leave Russia and the subsequent legal troubles he faced have been linked to his staunch defense of digital privacy and resistance to government interference.
His stance on privacy has made Telegram a preferred platform for many users seeking secure communication, but it has also drawn scrutiny from various governments.
The French authorities have not yet disclosed specific details about the charges or legal issues related to Durov’s arrest.
Telegram has not yet issued an official statement regarding Durov’s arrest. The company’s response will be crucial in addressing any potential impact on its operations and user trust.
The Russian embassy in France, meanwhile, is actively engaged in clarifying the situation and ensuring that Durov’s rights are upheld.
