Pavel Durov, the Russian-French billionaire founder and CEO of the Telegram messaging app, was reportedly arrested at Bourget airport outside Paris on the evening of Saturday, August 24. The 39-year-old was travelling aboard his private jet when he was taken into custody around 8 pm local time (6 pm GMT), according to a report by TF1 TV.
The arrest resulted from an arrest warrant issued in France, tied to a preliminary police investigation. Durov is expected to appear in court on Sunday to address the charges. The investigation focuses on the lack of moderation on Telegram, which authorities believe has allowed criminal activities to occur unchecked on the platform.
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Telegram, known for its encryption and privacy features, boasts nearly one billion users worldwide and significantly influences Russia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet republics. It is considered one of the major social media platforms globally, ranking alongside giants such as Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, and WeChat.
Pavel Durov, who now resides in Dubai where Telegram is based, holds dual citizenship in France and the United Arab Emirates. Forbes estimates his fortune at $15.5 billion (£12 billion). Durov left Russia in 2014 after refusing government demands to shut down opposition groups on his VK social media platform, which he subsequently sold.
