Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Arrested in France Over Moderation Issues

Pavel Durov, the Russian-French billionaire and founder of the Telegram messaging app, was arrested on Saturday evening at Bourget airport near Paris. According to reports from French television channels TF1 and BFM, Durov was traveling aboard his private jet when he was detained due to an arrest warrant issued in France as part of a preliminary police investigation.

The investigation reportedly focuses on the lack of moderators on Telegram, which authorities believe has allowed criminal activity to flourish on the platform. Durov is expected to face a possible indictment on Sunday, as French media outlets have indicated.

Neither Telegram nor the French Interior Ministry and police have commented on the situation. Russian officials, including representatives from the foreign ministry, are seeking to clarify the circumstances of Durov’s arrest. The ministry has called on Western non-governmental organizations to demand his release.

Reactions to Durov’s arrest have been swift, with several Russian politicians criticizing France’s actions as authoritarian. Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter), and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who recently ended his U.S. presidential campaign, also commented on the situation, emphasizing the importance of protecting free speech.

As this story unfolds, it remains to be seen how French authorities will proceed with the case against Durov, who has been a staunch advocate for digital privacy and freedom.

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