As reported by FinTelegram, French authorities have detained Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov, 39, as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged criminal activities on the platform, The New York Times reports. He was arrested on Saturday at Le Bourget Airport near Paris following an investigation by French prosecutors into various criminal activities facilitated through the app. Although he has not yet been charged, he remains in custody until Wednesday.
The investigation, which began on July 8, focuses on allegations of child pornography, drug sales, fraud, money laundering, and non-cooperation with law enforcement. Laure Beccuau, the Paris prosecutor, clarified that Durov’s arrest is part of an investigation “against person unnamed,” and it remains uncertain whether Durov will face formal charges.
Read our reports on Pavel Durov here.
Specialized cybercrime and anti-fraud units manage the investigation. In France, magistrates with broad investigative powers oversee complex criminal cases. They have the authority to place individuals under formal investigation and can later decide to drop charges if insufficient evidence exists to proceed to trial.
Durov’s arrest has sparked a debate on free speech and the responsibilities of digital platforms. President Emmanuel Macron dismissed claims that the arrest is an act of censorship, emphasizing that it is part of a judicial process and not a political decision. He reiterated France’s commitment to freedom of expression while underlining the importance of addressing illegal activities online.
Telegram, which boasts over 900 million users, has often been scrutinized for its minimal content moderation. While the platform has enabled free communication in oppressive regimes, it has also become a hub for harmful activities, including terrorism, drug trafficking, and extremist organizations.
The arrest could further strain already tense relations between France and Russia, which are strained due to France’s support for Ukraine. The Russian Embassy in France has demanded clarification and requested consular access to Durov.
In response, Telegram defended Durov, stating that blaming a platform or its founder for misuse by users is “absurd” and asserting that Durov “has nothing to hide.”
