Pavel Durov, the Russian-born creator of the messaging app Telegram, was arrested in France in connection with an investigation into offenses involving child pornography, drug trafficking and fraudulent activities on the platform, according to French prosecutors.
French President Emmanuel Macron provided the first official acknowledgment of Durov’s arrest since his detention at Le Bourget airport near Paris on Saturday evening.
He emphasized that the arrest was not politically motivated, countering numerous misleading statements circulating online.
Macron further asserted that France is firmly dedicated to upholding lawful free speech.
“The arrest of the Telegram president on French territory took place as part of an ongoing judicial investigation. This is in no way a political decision. It is up to the judges to decide,” Macron said.
In a later announcement, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau indicated that Durov was apprehended as part of an investigation into an unidentified individual initiated by the cybercrime unit of the office on July 8.
The inquiry pertains to alleged involvement in various offenses, including the operation of an online platform facilitating illegal transactions, child pornography, drug trafficking, and fraud, as well as the failure to provide information to authorities, money laundering, and offering cryptographic services to criminals, according to the statement.
Telegram, a widely used messaging and social media application similar to WhatsApp, boasts nearly 1 billion users and holds significant influence in Russia, Ukraine, and the former Soviet republics.
Durov’s arrest drew criticism from Elon Musk, the owner of X, who asserted that free speech in Europe is under threat, alongside demands from Moscow for French authorities to ensure Durov’s rights are respected.
Tensions between France and Russia have escalated in recent months, with French officials accusing Russia of attempting to undermine stability ahead of the Paris Olympics in reaction to France’s more assertive position on the Ukraine conflict—allegations that Russia has denied.
