Founder and CEO of Telegram Pavel Durov
Manuel Blondeau – Corbis | Corbis News | Getty Images
Telegram chief executive Pavel Durov was arrested at an airport on Saturday night outside Paris and detained for allegedly violating the messaging app, according to French media.
The 39-year-old Russian billionaire is accused of failing to reduce the abuse of the platform for criminal activities. France’s OFMIN, which is responsible for protecting minors from violence, issued an arrest warrant for Durov on charges of organized crime, drug trafficking, fraud, cyberbullying, and promoting terrorism, AFP news agency reported citing sources.
The messaging app, which has around 800 million users, is popular in Russia as well as Ukraine.
After news of Durov’s arrest, the Russian embassy in France said it “immediately asked the French authorities to clarify the reasons and demanded to ensure the protection of rights and grant consular access.” A message posted on Telegram said the embassy official was in contact with Durov’s lawyer.
Here’s everything you need to know about Durov:
- In an interview with American commentator Tucker Carlson this year, Durov mentioned the priority of freedom – freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and free market – whether it was his decision to leave VK more than ten years ago, or his personal life.
- He founded Telegram in 2013, marketing it as an uncensored and neutral platform, accessible to people from all walks of life and views.
