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Pavel Durov, the Russian-born founder of the messaging software Telegram, was arrested in Paris this weekend.
Pavel Durov, the Russian-born founder of the messaging app Telegram, was arrested in Paris over the weekend. Telegram has defended Durov, asserting that he has nothing to hide and criticizing the notion that a platform owner should be held responsible for misuse of their service.
Durov, a 39-year-old billionaire, was detained at Le Bourget airport outside Paris shortly after arriving on a private jet from Azerbaijan late on Saturday.
The arrest is part of a preliminary police investigation concerning allegations that Telegram allowed various crimes due to insufficient moderation and lack of cooperation with law enforcement.
French authorities have not provided extensive details but confirmed that the investigation involves a cybersecurity unit and France’s national anti-fraud police.
Telegram issued a brief statement following the arrest, emphasizing that the company adheres to European Union laws and maintains moderation practices that align with industry standards.
The statement described the situation as “absurd,” asserting that holding the platform or its owner accountable for the abuse of the service is unreasonable. “Telegram’s CEO Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe,” the company said. “We’re awaiting a prompt resolution of this situation.”
Durov’s arrest has prompted reactions from various quarters. Moscow has warned Paris to ensure Durov’s rights are respected, while X (formerly Twitter) owner Elon Musk has criticized the arrest as an attack on European free speech.
Russian lawmaker Maria Butina, who has a history of controversy, has labeled Durov as a “political prisoner” and a victim of a Western “witch-hunt.”
Pavel Durov, who holds dual French and UAE citizenship, founded Telegram after leaving Russia in 2014. His departure from Russia was due to a refusal to shut down opposition communities on his previous social media platform, VK. Telegram boasts nearly 1 billion users and is especially influential in Russia, Ukraine, and former Soviet republics.
Durov, born in Soviet Leningrad and a graduate of St. Petersburg State University, has described his political views as “libertarian” and has cited Apple Co-Founder Steve Jobs as an inspiration. With an estimated net worth of $15.5 billion, Durov has previously mentioned that some governments have attempted to pressure him, but he maintains that Telegram should remain a neutral platform.
Durov’s quest for a stable base for his company included relocations to Berlin, London, Singapore, and San Francisco. Reflecting on his departure from Russia, Durov preferred freedom over compliance with external demands. His younger brother, Nikolai, was instrumental in developing the encryption technology that underpins Telegram.
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