Chief executive officer of Telegram Pavel Durov was arrested at an airport on Saturday night outside Paris and placed in custody for alleged offences related to the messaging app, according to French media.
The 39-year-old Russian-born billionaire was reportedly accused of failing to mitigate the misuse of his platform for criminal activities.
France’s OFMIN, which is responsible for safeguarding minors from violence, issued an arrest warrant for Durov over accusations of organized crime, drug trafficking, fraud, cyberbullying, and the promotion of terrorism on his platform, news agency AFP reported citing a source.
The messaging app, which has about 800 million users, is popular in Russia as well as Ukraine.
Following news of Durov’s detention, Russia’s embassy in France said it had “immediately asked the French authorities for clarification of the reasons and demanded to ensure the protection of his rights and provide consular access.” The message posted on Telegram said the embassy officials were in contact with Durov’s lawyer.
Here’s all you need to know about Durov:
- Durov founded social network VKontakte (VK) in 2006, which was also referred to as Russia’s version of Facebook.
- He subsequently left the company after a dispute with Kremlin-linked owners on the network’s management. Durov had reportedly refused to cooperate with authorities on blocking late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s page on the platform.
- After stepping down from VK, Durov emigrated from Russia in 2014. He obtained citizenship at the Caribbean island archipelago of Saint Kitts and Nevis after making a $250,000 donation to its sugar industry. Durov was granted French citizenship in August 2021.
- In an interview with American commentator Tucker Carlson this year, Durov cited how he prioritizes freedom — freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and a free market — whether it be his decision to leave VK over a decade ago, or his personal life, freedom comes first.
- He founded Telegram in 2013, marketing it as an uncensored and neutral platform, accessible to people from all walks of life and views.
- Durov is estimated to have a net worth of about $15.5 billion, according to Forbes, making him the world’s 121st wealthiest person.
