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Pavel Durov, the billionaire co-founder and CEO of messaging app Telegram, was arrested on Saturday evening at Le Bourget Airport near Paris. The 39-year-old tech entrepreneur was detained after arriving on his private jet from Azerbaijan, according to French media reports.
Durov, who holds dual citizenship in France and the United Arab Emirates, was reportedly targeted by an arrest warrant related to alleged offenses involving Telegram. Sources indicate the investigation centers on a lack of content moderation on the platform, with Durov accused of failing to take adequate steps to curb criminal activity.
The Russia-born businessman founded Telegram in 2013 after leaving his home country amid conflicts with authorities over his refusal to censor opposition voices on VKontakte, the social network he previously created. Durov has since become a prominent figure in the tech world, with Forbes estimating his net worth at $15.5 billion.
Telegram has grown to become one of the world's most popular messaging apps, boasting approximately 900 million active users. The platform is known for its end-to-end encryption and "channel" feature that allows rapid information dissemination to followers. However, these same features have drawn scrutiny from governments concerned about potential misuse by criminal or extremist groups.
The arrest has sparked international reactions, with Russian officials condemning the move. Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for Russia's foreign ministry, questioned whether Western human rights organizations would remain silent on Durov's detention, referencing past criticisms of Russia's attempts to restrict Telegram.
Elon Musk, owner of social media platform X (formerly Twitter), also weighed in on the situation, using the hashtag #freepavel and making provocative statements about the future of free speech in Europe.
As of Sunday, Durov was expected to appear in court. The Russian embassy in France stated it was taking "immediate steps" to clarify the situation, though it noted that Durov's team had not reached out for assistance.
As the situation unfolds, the tech community and Telegram's vast user base will be watching closely to see how this arrest impacts the future of one of the world's most influential messaging platform.
