Telegram CEO Pavel Durov’s incarceration is being extended by France
Following his apprehension at Le Bourget airport, close to Paris, on Saturday night, Pavel Durov, the CEO and founder of Telegram, has been detained by French police for an extended period of time.
The internet tycoon, who was born in Russia, was detained on suspicion of offenses linked to the popular but divisive messaging service Telegram.
After landing in Paris from Baku, Azerbaijan, with plans to have dinner in the French city, Durov, 39, was first placed under arrest.
When he was arrested, a personal assistant and a bodyguard were with him.
Sources close to the investigation claim that the investigating magistrate has decided to keep Durov in custody past Sunday night.
This first round of interrogation can go up to 96 hours under French law, after which the court has the option of either releasing Durov or filing charges and remanding him in custody.
The arrest is the most recent event in Durov’s well-known career, which began when he founded one of the most significant messaging networks in the world.
The arrest warrant was issued as part of an initial investigation into allegations of fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organized crime, and the encouragement of terrorism by France’s OFMIN, an institution tasked with preventing violence against children.
Durov is charged with not doing enough to stop the illegal usage of Telegram.
Durov, who is multi-national and has a French passport, has insisted in his innocence.
“Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe,” a Telegram spokeswoman said.
According to him, Telegram moderates content in accordance with industry standards and complies with all EU legislation, including the Digital Services Act. The idea that a platform or its owner is accountable for misuse of the platform is ludicrous.
