Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of the encrypted messaging app Telegram, was arrested this Saturday evening, according to French media.
The incident occurred at Le Bourget Airport just as Durov, accompanied by a bodyguard and a woman, disembarked from his private jet. Durov, who holds dual Franco-Russian citizenship and is 39 years old, had just arrived from Azerbaijan.
The arrest was executed by members of the GTA (Gendarmerie of Air Transport), acting on a French search warrant. This warrant, issued by the OFMIN of the national directorate of the French judicial police, was based on allegations that Telegram’s operational policies — specifically its lack of censorship and lack of cooperation with law enforcement’s censorship demands, along with features such as disposable phone numbers and cryptocurrency transactions — indirectly support illicit activities.
Following his arrest, Durov was notified by ONAF (National Anti-Fraud Office) investigators and placed in police custody. He was scheduled to appear before an investigating judge on Saturday evening with the potential for multiple charges to be brought against him on Sunday, including those related to terrorism, narcotics, conspiracy, fraud, money laundering, and more.
An investigator confidently told TF1/LCI, “Pavel Durov will end up in pre-trial detention, that’s for sure.” They added, “On his platform, he allowed countless crimes and crimes to be committed for which he does nothing to moderate or cooperate.”
The recent arrest of Pavel Durov is just the latest in a series of challenges facing Telegram, an encrypted messaging service known for its stringent privacy policies. In recent weeks, the platform has come under intensified scrutiny and attacks from various governments and regulatory bodies, alleging that its free speech policies facilitate illegal activities.
The core of the controversy surrounds Telegram’s encryption protocols and privacy features, which authorities claim obstruct criminal investigations and enable the spread of illicit content.
Telegram’s user base has surged, particularly in regions with contentious political climates, due to its promise of secure communication.
Hellbound and Down 