Pavel Durov, the CEO of the messaging platform Telegram, has been detained in France.
Reports emerged over the weekend indicating that Durov was apprehended at a Paris airport on accusations that his app is being used for illegal activities such as money laundering and drug trafficking.
According to Al Jazeera, a French judge has ordered that Durov, 39, be held in custody until at least Sunday night, as confirmed by AFP news agency from an anonymous source involved in the case.
Under French law, Durov can be detained for up to 96 hours for questioning before he must either be formally charged or released.
Local sources revealed that Durov was on a private flight from Azerbaijan when he was arrested.
The French warrant was issued as part of a preliminary investigation into various allegations against him.
France’s OFMIN, the agency tasked with tackling crimes against minors, is scrutinizing Durov for potential involvement in fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organized crime, and promoting terrorism.
These allegations stem from claims that Durov has not adequately addressed the misuse of Telegram for criminal purposes.
Telegram has responded, asserting that Durov “has nothing to hide” and emphasizing that the company adheres to EU regulations, including the Digital Services Act.
The platform’s statement argues that it is unreasonable to hold either the platform or its owner accountable for the misuse of its services.
The Russian embassy in France has called for consular access to Durov and is advocating for the protection of his rights, as reported by Russian state news agency TASS.
The embassy has expressed concerns about France’s handling of the situation and stated that Russian diplomats are in touch with Durov’s legal team.
Telegram, which boasts nearly 1 billion users, was founded by Durov and his brother in Russia in 2013.
Following his departure from Russia in 2014, Durov sought new locations for his company, including Berlin, Singapore, and San Francisco, before settling in Dubai.
