Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of the popular messaging app Telegram, was arrested in Paris this past weekend due to allegations that his platform is being exploited for illegal activities, including drug trafficking and the distribution of child exploitation materials.
Durov, originally from Russia, holds citizenship in several countries, including France, Russia, St. Kitts and Nevis, and the United Arab Emirates. He spent a significant part of his early life in Italy. The arrest took place at Paris-Le Bourget Airport on Saturday after Durov arrived from Azerbaijan.
In response to the situation, Telegram released a statement asserting its commitment to adhering to EU regulations and emphasized that its content moderation practices are “within industry standards and continuously improving.” The company further stated that Durov “has nothing to hide and frequently travels within Europe.”
