Pavel Durov, the founder of the popular messaging app Telegram, has reportedly been detained by French security services at Paris’ Le Bourget airport. The 39-year-old tech entrepreneur was intercepted on Saturday evening as he disembarked from his private jet, according to French television channel TF1.
Durov, who had just arrived from Azerbaijan, was accompanied by his bodyguard and an unidentified woman at the time of the arrest. Sources indicate that he was on a federal wanted list, leading to his apprehension by French authorities.
The arrest stems from a search warrant issued by the Office National de la Police Judiciaire (OFMI), France’s national judicial police, as part of an ongoing preliminary investigation. The exact nature of the charges or the investigation has not been disclosed to the public, but it has sparked widespread speculation given Durov’s high-profile status and the global reach of Telegram.
The detention of Durov, who is often seen as a champion of privacy and freedom of speech through his platform, has already prompted reactions from various quarters. Some view the arrest as a significant development in the international scrutiny of encrypted communication platforms, while others express concern over the potential implications for digital rights and personal freedoms.
As of now, neither Durov nor his representatives have issued an official statement regarding the arrest. French authorities have also remained tight-lipped, providing no further details on the investigation or Durov’s current status.
