Telegram founder Pavel Durov arrested for child porn, drug trafficking – Prosecutor
Pavel Durov, the Russian-born founder of the popular messaging app Telegram, was arrested in France on Saturday evening at the Le Bourget airport near Paris.The arrest is part of a larger investigation into allegations of child pornography, drug trafficking, and fraudulent transactions on the platform, French prosecutors said Monday.
French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the arrest, emphasising that it was not politically motivated, despite widespread online speculation. Macron reassured that France is still committed to protecting legal free speech. "The arrest of Telegram's founder on French soil is part of an ongoing judicial investigation, not a political decision. "The outcome will be determined by the judiciary," Macron said on X.
According to Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau, Durov's arrest was linked to an investigation launched by the Paris prosecutor's office's cybercrime unit on July 8. The investigation focusses on a variety of crimes, including running a platform that facilitates illegal transactions, child pornography, drug trafficking, fraud, money laundering, and providing cryptographic services to criminals. Durov is currently being held until Wednesday, as per legal procedure.
Telegram, which has nearly 1 billion users worldwide, including large followings in Russia, Ukraine, and the former Soviet republics, has not released any information about Durov's arrest. The company reiterated its adherence to European Union laws, stating that its moderation practices are consistent with industry standards. "The CEO of Telegram, Pavel Durov, has nothing to hide and travels frequently throughout Europe. "It is unreasonable to hold a platform or its owner liable for others' misuse," the company said in a statement.
High-profile figures, including Elon Musk, have criticised the arrest, calling it an attack on free speech in Europe. The Russian government has asked for clarification on the charges against Durov. Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman, stated that "we do not yet have details on the specific accusations against Durov. It is premature to make any statements until we know what the charges are.
The Russian embassy in Paris stated that French authorities had not yet granted Durov consular access, but confirmed ongoing communication with his legal representatives.
Pavel Durov, 39, also known as "Russia's Mark Zuckerberg," has dual citizenship in France and the United Arab Emirates. Despite his large fortune, which Forbes estimates at $15.5 billion, Durov has maintained that his app should remain neutral and not be involved in geopolitical conflicts. He received French citizenship in 2021 through an expedited process reserved for high-profile individuals, which has raised concerns given his lack of residency in France.
The French foreign ministry, which oversees the naturalisation process, did not respond to enquiries about Durov's citizenship. Similarly, the Elysee presidential office deferred to the foreign ministry on details.
Durov's naturalisation was facilitated by special provisions for people who make significant contributions to France's international economic relations. His is one of the few cases handled under this expedited procedure, which is usually reserved for high-profile individuals.
The situation remains fluid as legal proceedings continue and more details about Durov's charges and the implications for Telegram emerge.
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