Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Arrested in France Amid Criminal Investigation

Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Arrested in France

On Monday, French prosecutors announced the arrest of Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of the popular messaging platform Telegram. His detention is linked to an ongoing investigation that was initiated last month concerning various criminal activities allegedly taking place on the platform, as well as claims of inadequate cooperation with law enforcement authorities.

Mr. Durov, who is 39 years old, was apprehended on Saturday at Le Bourget Airport in Paris after arriving on a private jet from Azerbaijan. While he has not yet been formally charged with any offenses, he remains in custody, a situation that can be extended until Wednesday, as confirmed by the prosecutors.

Laure Beccuau, the Paris prosecutor, stated in a public release that Durov’s arrest is part of a broader investigation that was launched on July 8. This investigation targets “unnamed individuals” and includes a variety of potential charges, such as:

• Complicity in the distribution of child pornography
• Drug trafficking
• Money laundering
• Failure to collaborate with law enforcement agencies

Ms. Beccuau indicated that the case is being managed by specialists in cybercrime and anti-fraud. She elaborated, saying, “It is within this procedural framework that Pavel Durov was questioned by the investigators.”

At this point, it remains uncertain whether any of the potential charges mentioned by Ms. Beccuau will be formally applied to Mr. Durov.

In France, intricate criminal cases like this one typically fall under the jurisdiction of specialized magistrates who possess extensive investigative powers. These magistrates can place defendants under formal investigation and bring charges if they find sufficient evidence to do so. However, if they later determine that the evidence does not warrant prosecution, they have the authority to drop the charges entirely, a process that can span years.