Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, is poised to find out on Wednesday whether he will face formal charges or be remanded in custody after his arrest by French authorities over the weekend. Pavel Durov, aged 39, was detained late Saturday at Le Bourget airport near Paris. His initial period of detention has been repeatedly extended but can last no longer than 96 hours.
The arrest is part of an ongoing investigation that was confidentially opened on July 8. Pavel Durov is under scrutiny for alleged violations related to the failure to curb extremist content on Telegram, with sources indicating that he faces suspicion of 12 different offences. This high-profile case has drawn significant attention, raising questions about the circumstances and timing of his detention, especially given that he reportedly flew into Paris despite knowing about an arrest warrant against him.
Pavel Durov, who founded Telegram while in the process of leaving his native Russia a decade ago, has seen the app’s user base grow to over 900 million. Known for his elusive public presence and ascetic lifestyle, which includes practices like ice baths and abstaining from alcohol and coffee, Pavel Durov is a citizen of Russia, France, and the United Arab Emirates, where Telegram is headquartered.
The French government has maintained that Pavel Durov’s arrest is strictly judicial and not politically motivated. French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the matter on social media, emphasizing that the arrest is part of an ongoing judicial investigation and not a political decision. Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has stressed that any action against Pavel Durov should be based on solid evidence, warning against potential attempts to restrict communication freedom or intimidate a prominent tech leader.
The UAE has expressed concern over the situation and requested consular access for its citizen. In support of Pavel Durov, tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has advocated for his release under the hashtag #FreePavel.
As the 96-hour questioning period nears its end, the investigating magistrate will decide whether to release Pavel Durov, charge him, or impose judicial control with potential movement restrictions. Pavel Durov, who was en route to Paris from Baku, Azerbaijan, was accompanied by his bodyguard and personal assistant during his trip. The arrest warrant issued by France’s OFMIN covers a range of alleged offences, including fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, and promotion of terrorism. Telegram has responded by asserting that Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and that the platform adheres to industry standards for moderation and compliance with EU laws.
Critics of Telegram argue that it frequently hosts illegal content and misinformation, despite the platform’s claims of neutrality and its role in global political discussions, including those related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
