Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Arrested in France, Faces Potential Charges Amid Platform Controversy

• Telegram CEO Pavel Durov detained at Paris's Le Bourget airport by the National Anti-Fraud Office.
• The detention is connected to a search warrant from OFMIN, a French agency fighting child sexual exploitation, raising concerns about content moderation on Telegram.
• The arrest has prompted outrage from the Russian Embassy in Paris and support from tech industry leaders.

Telegram founder and CEO, Pavel Durov, has been arrested in France by the National Anti-Fraud Office (ONAF). Durov was detained after landing at Paris's Le Bourget airport on a private jet with a woman and his bodyguard. The arrest was tied to a search warrant from OFMIN, a French agency dedicated to fighting child sexual exploitation, following an initial investigation.

Reports suggest that Durov might meet with an investigating judge and could face charges for offenses like terrorism, drug-related crimes, fraud, money laundering, receiving stolen goods, and possibly more. 

An investigator from France’s ONAF even stated that Durov would likely be placed in pre-trial detention. His platform has been used for various crimes, and he hasn’t done enough to moderate or cooperate.

Russian-born Pavel Durov founded Telegram with his brother in 2013. He left Russia in 2014 after refusing to comply with government demands to shut down opposition groups on his VKontakte social media platform, which he later sold. 

“I would rather be free than take orders from anyone,” Durov said in an April interview with U.S. journalist Tucker Carlson, discussing his departure from Russia and his search for a new base for his company, which included stays in Berlin, London, Singapore, and San Francisco.

Since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Telegram has emerged as a major platform for unfiltered and often graphic or misleading content about the war. Dubbed a "virtual battlefield" by analysts, it is widely used by both Ukraine's President Zelenskiy and the Russian government.

Not to mention, Telegram also remains one of the few places where Russians can access independent news after the Kremlin's crackdown on media following the invasion.

Mario Nawfal, founder and CEO of IBC Group, reported that the Russian Embassy is outraged over the arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov. The embassy in Paris has demanded an explanation for the arrest and insisted that French authorities allow Durov immediate access to consular services. Russia says that, so far, French officials have not responded to their requests.

Furthermore, amid the shocking arrest of Durov, industry leaders have voiced their opinions on the matter and are supporting Durov. Elon Musk, for instance, has posted on X “#FreePavel”.

Edited by Harshajit Sarmah