Pavel Durov, Founder and Leader of Telegram, Recently Arrested in France
Published: 16:09 26.08.2024
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Pavel Durov, founder and leader of Telegram, was recently arrested in France. He was detained at Paris' Le Bourget Airport upon arrival from Azerbaijan on a private plane. French authorities issued his arrest warrant, considering the Telegram platform to have become a hub for criminal activities and being dissatisfied with Durov's refusal to strictly moderate content and provide information on users suspected of engaging in illegal activities.
Durov's arrest has sparked wide resonance both in Russia and the West, focusing discussions on restrictions to freedom of speech and internet regulation. His arrest was particularly criticized by individuals advocating for a free online environment, including Elon Musk, the former owner of X (formerly Twitter), who expressed support for Durov.
French media report that Durov knew about the issued arrest warrant and had been avoiding visiting France. It remains unclear why he decided to return to Europe, as he mostly resides in Dubai.
Currently, there are very few official statements regarding Durov's arrest. Telegram has released a statement indicating that the company complies with EU laws and that Durov has no secrets. The Russian Embassy in France has requested clarification on the matter but has not received a response yet.
The reason for the arrest is Durov's refusal to cooperate with law enforcement agencies and his unwillingness to restrict the content on the platform. This has sparked discussions on whether such actions are justified and whether Durov should have provided information to prevent Telegram from being used for criminal activities.
So far, French authorities have not formally announced further actions, but it has been reported that Durov could remain in custody for up to four days until the court decides on his future status. Telegram continues to express its support for Durov, emphasizing that he frequently travels across Europe and has no connection to the platform's misuse.
Durov's arrest has sparked wide resonance both in Russia and the West, focusing discussions on restrictions to freedom of speech and internet regulation. His arrest was particularly criticized by individuals advocating for a free online environment, including Elon Musk, the former owner of X (formerly Twitter), who expressed support for Durov.
French media report that Durov knew about the issued arrest warrant and had been avoiding visiting France. It remains unclear why he decided to return to Europe, as he mostly resides in Dubai.
Currently, there are very few official statements regarding Durov's arrest. Telegram has released a statement indicating that the company complies with EU laws and that Durov has no secrets. The Russian Embassy in France has requested clarification on the matter but has not received a response yet.
The reason for the arrest is Durov's refusal to cooperate with law enforcement agencies and his unwillingness to restrict the content on the platform. This has sparked discussions on whether such actions are justified and whether Durov should have provided information to prevent Telegram from being used for criminal activities.
So far, French authorities have not formally announced further actions, but it has been reported that Durov could remain in custody for up to four days until the court decides on his future status. Telegram continues to express its support for Durov, emphasizing that he frequently travels across Europe and has no connection to the platform's misuse.
