In a surprising turn of events, Pavel Durov, the CEO of Telegram, was apprehended at an airport near Paris and subsequently detained on Saturday night.
The allegations against him are tied to his messaging platform, which authorities claim has been misused for criminal activities.
As reported by CNBC, Durov, a Russian-born billionaire, is facing accusations of failing to curb the use of his platform for illicit activities. The Paris Public Prosecutor's Office had issued an arrest warrant for Durov in relation to an investigation that was initiated on July 8. The probe is centered on organized crime, drug trafficking, fraud, and the distribution of pornographic images of minors via the platform.
Telegram, which boasts approximately 800 million users, enjoys popularity in Russia and Ukraine. In the wake of Durov's arrest, the Russian embassy in France sought immediate clarification from the French authorities. They demanded the assurance of Durov's rights and consular access. The embassy officials are reportedly in contact with Durov's legal representative.
Durov, who left his previous company VK after a disagreement with Kremlin-linked owners over the network's management, has been a staunch advocate for freedom. He refused to cooperate with authorities on blocking the page of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny on the platform. After his departure from VK, Durov emigrated from Russia in 2014. He later obtained citizenship at the Caribbean island archipelago of St. Kitts and Nevis following a $250,000 donation to its sugar industry. In August 2021, Durov was granted French citizenship.
In a conversation with American commentator Tucker Carlson earlier this year, Durov emphasized his commitment to freedomfreedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and a free market. He founded Telegram in 2013, positioning it as an uncensored and neutral platform, accessible to people of all backgrounds and viewpoints.
With an estimated net worth of about $15.5 billion, Durov is ranked as the world's 121st wealthiest person by Forbes. His arrest raises questions about the future of Telegram and its commitment to freedom and neutrality in the face of alleged misuse.
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