Breaking News: Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Arrested in France Upon Arrival from Azerbaijan
Pavel Durov, founder and CEO of Telegram, was arrested in France upon arriving from Azerbaijan, facing charges related to drug trafficking and child exploitation. As investigations unfold, the implications for the popular messaging app and digital privacy remain a major concern.
In a shocking turn of events, Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of the popular messaging app Telegram, has been arrested at the Paris-Le Bourget Airport upon his arrival from Azerbaijan, according to French media reports.
Charges and Allegations
France has issued an arrest warrant for Durov on charges of complicity in drug trafficking, crimes against children, and fraud due to the lack of moderation on the encrypted messaging app and his failure to cooperate with law enforcement. The 39-year-old billionaire was detained on the tarmac after his private jet landed.
Telegram's Response
Telegram, which boasts over 900 million users worldwide, has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the arrest of its Russian-born CEO. Durov, who was naturalized as French in August 2021, has been based in Dubai since leaving Russia in 2014.
Ongoing Investigations
According to an anonymous investigator cited by TF1, Durov will most likely be placed in pre-trial detention. The arrest warrant is reportedly only valid in France, and authorities believe Durov knew he was persona non grata in the country, as he traveled little in Europe and avoided nations where Telegram was under surveillance by security forces.
Implications and Reactions
The arrest of Telegram's CEO has sent shockwaves through the tech community and raised concerns about the future of the encrypted messaging platform. As the investigation unfolds, the international community will be closely monitoring the developments and their potential impact on digital privacy and freedom of expression.