French authorities have detained Telegram CEO Pavel Durov for a second day of questioning over alleged offenses related to the popular messaging app. Durov, a Russian-born tech mogul, was arrested on August 24, 2024, after landing at Le Bourget airport near Paris.
His detention has sparked international reactions, including from fellow tech giant Elon Musk, who tweeted the hashtag #FreePavel.
In a statement, Telegram insisted, “Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe,” emphasizing that the platform abides by EU laws, including the Digital Services Act. “It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform,” the company added.
The arrest warrant, issued by France’s Office for Preventing Violence Against Minors (OFMIN), includes allegations of fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organized crime, and the promotion of terrorism. Durov is accused of failing to take adequate measures to prevent criminal activities on Telegram.
Russia’s embassy in Paris has criticized France for “refusing to cooperate” with their requests for access to Durov, while US whistleblower Edward Snowden condemned the arrest as “an assault on the basic human rights of speech and association.”
Durov’s detention comes as a significant development in his career, given his history of leaving Russia in 2014 after clashing with the Kremlin over his first project, VKontakte (VK). Despite the ongoing investigation, Durov remains a pivotal figure in global tech, with Telegram playing a crucial role in both Ukraine and Russia amid the ongoing conflict.
“Perhaps he had a feeling of impunity,” speculated a source close to the case, questioning why Durov chose to enter France despite the pending warrant. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the French authorities will press charges or release the billionaire tech entrepreneur.
