Shocking Arrest: Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Detained in France – Unveiling the Truth | Technology News
Pavel Durov, founder and CEO of Telegram, was arrested at Le Bourget airport near Paris under a French arrest warrant issued as part of a preliminary investigation. The warrant, issued by France’s OFMIN, alleges Durov, 39, is involved in offenses such as fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, and organized crime related to his messaging app. French news outlets TF1 TV and BFM TV reported that Durov’s failure to moderate Telegram allegedly permitted criminal activity on the platform.
Durov, who was traveling on a private jet from Azerbaijan, is facing possible indictment. French police expressed surprise over Durov’s entry into France despite the warrant, emphasizing frustration with Telegram’s “impunity.” Concurrently, the Russian embassy in France has demanded consular access to Durov and assurances of his rights, according to state news agency TASS.
Launched in 2013 by Durov and his brother in Russia, Telegram, known for its encryption features, has grown to nearly one billion users. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the platform emerged as a major source of unfiltered content from both sides of the conflict. The app’s popularity among officials, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has led to increased scrutiny, particularly in Europe.
Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia’s representative to international organizations in Vienna, condemned France’s actions, describing them as “totalitarian.” Russian bloggers have called for global protests outside French embassies. Ben Aris, editor-in-chief of bne IntelliNews, noted Durov has also faced pressure in Russia for refusing to grant the Kremlin access to encrypted messages, leading to a 2018 ban on Telegram.
Elon Musk criticized Durov’s arrest on social media, highlighting broader concerns over freedom and expression. Telegram has not responded to these developments, and French authorities have refrained from commenting.
Original Story https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/25/telegram-messaging-app-ceo-pavel-durov-arrested-in-france
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