Pavel Durov, CEO of Telegram, is under investigation for allegedly permitting criminal activities on the messaging platform.
He was arressted in France upon landing at Le Bourget airport from Azerbaijan, where he arrived on his private jet.
Durov, now a French citizen since 2021, faces accusations related to the platform’s use for child sexual abuse material, drug trafficking, and fraud by organized crime groups.
French authorities have prohibited Durov from leaving France pending further investigation, requiring him to post a €5 million bail to avoid custody.
Telegram has maintained its compliance with EU laws and ongoing improvements in content moderation, rejecting claims that the platform or its owner bear responsibility for misuse.
Durov’s arrest and subsequent questioning have sparked protests in Russia, with some officials alleging political motives and criticizing what they perceive as Western double standards on freedom of speech. But Franch government has denied any political motive.
In 2018, Russian’s attempt to ban Telegram failed, only to be abolished in 2020.
Also in Iran, Telegram is officially banned but it is still widely used. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, praised France for the arrest of Durov and strict governance of the internet.
The controversy has also drawn comparisons, with controversial influencer Andrew Tate likening his legal battles to Durov’s situation.
French President Emmanuel Macron has emphasized that Durov’s arrest was not politically motivated but emphasizes his country’s commitment to upholding freedoms within a legal framework.
Telegram, boasting nearly a billion global users, was founded by Durov after he resisted pressure from Russian authorities concerning his earlier platform, VKontakte (VK).
Durov opted to sell his stake in VK and focus on Telegram, known for its strong privacy protections despite criticism for inadequate content moderation, leading to fines in Germany in 2022.
