Pavel Durov, the billionaire co-founder and CEO of Telegram, was arrested at Bourget Airport near Paris on Saturday evening, according to TF1 TV. The 39-year-old tech entrepreneur, travelling from Azerbaijan aboard his private jet, was detained due to an arrest warrant issued in France. Durov, who holds dual citizenship in France and the UAE, is expected to appear in court on Sunday.
Arrest Sparks Diplomatic Concerns
The Russian-born Durov, who fled Russia in 2014 after refusing to shut down opposition communities on his VK social media platform, now resides in Dubai. The Russian embassy in France is actively seeking information regarding his arrest, despite no official appeal from Durov’s team. The situation has raised concerns, given Durov’s influence and the widespread use of Telegram, which boasts 900 million active users worldwide.
Durov’s arrest has thrown the future of Telegram, known for its end-to-end encryption and rapidly disseminated information channels, into uncertainty. The messaging platform has been a cornerstone of secure communication for millions, and Durov’s legal troubles could have significant implications for its operations.
