Pavel Durov, the billionaire founder and CEO of the popular messaging app Telegram, was arrested at Le Bourget Airport near Paris on Saturday evening.
The 39-year-old entrepreneur, who also has ties to the cryptocurrency $DOGS, was detained by French police as he disembarked from his private jet following a flight from Azerbaijan.
The arrest stems from a French warrant issued over allegations that Telegram's lack of content moderation has facilitated various illegal activities. These include money laundering, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organized crime and even the sharing of pedophilic content. According to reports, the National Anti-Fraud Office, part of the French Customs Department, executed the arrest.
"Telegram has been criticized for its insufficient moderation, which has allowed criminal activities to flourish," said an unnamed source close to the investigation. The French agency OFMIN, responsible for preventing violence against minors, is leading the preliminary investigation into these serious offenses.
Durov's arrest has drawn international attention, with the Russian foreign ministry stating that it is working to "clarify the situation around Durov." Meanwhile, Telegram has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.
The implications of this arrest are significant, as Durov is expected to face a judge and could be indicted on multiple charges, including terrorism, narcotics, complicity, fraud, money laundering and receiving stolen goods. This development puts both Durov's future and Telegram’s policies under intense scrutiny.
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