Telegram founder Pavel Durov arrested in France
Photo: Twitter
Telegram Sentenced its founder and CEO Pavel DurovFrench Telegram billionaire, 39, has been arrested in France and said he has “nothing to hide.” The billionaire was arrested at an airport outside Paris. French judicial authorities on Sunday extended his detention on charges related to moderation on the popular messaging app. Telegram said the platform complies with EU laws and is awaiting a prompt resolution of the situation.
According to local media, Durov’s detention was extended beyond Sunday evening. This initial period of detention for questioning can last up to a maximum of 96 hours.
Responding to the founder’s arrest on Saturday, Telegram said: “It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner is responsible for the abuse of that platform. Telegram complies with EU laws, including the Digital Services Act; its moderation is within industry standards and it is constantly improving.”
“Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and frequently travels around Europe. Nearly a billion users around the world use Telegram as a means of communication and as a source of vital information. We are looking forward to a speedy resolution of this situation. Telegram stands with you all,” the company added.
Meanwhile, Russia accused France of “refusing to cooperate” following the arrest of Durov, who holds a French passport, among other nationalities. Elon Musk, another tech mogul, also came to the defence of the 39-year-old.
Durov arrived in Paris from Baku, Azerbaijan, with the intention of dining in the French capital. He was accompanied by his bodyguard and personal assistant, who are regular members of his entourage.
The arrest warrant was issued by France’s OFMIN, an office tasked with preventing violence against minors. Durov faces a preliminary investigation on charges including fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organized crime and promoting terrorism. Authorities accuse him of not doing enough to prevent criminal use of Telegram.
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