Pavel Durov: Telegram founder faces possible charges after Paris arrest

Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, will learn on Wednesday whether he faces formal charges or will be remanded in custody following his arrest by French authorities over the weekend.

Durov, 39, was detained at Le Bourget airport near Paris late Saturday. His initial detention period has been extended several times, but can last a maximum of 96 hours.

The investigation, which began confidentially on July 8, centers on allegations that Durov failed to control extremist content on Telegram. He is suspected of 12 offenses related to this issue, according to sources close to the investigation.

Durov, who launched Telegram while leaving Russia a decade ago, has seen the app’s user base soar to over 900 million. He is known for his private nature, holding citizenship in Russia, France, and the United Arab Emirates, where Telegram is headquartered.

Forbes estimates Durov’s net worth at $15.5 billion, though he promotes a minimalist lifestyle, including ice baths and abstaining from alcohol and coffee.

Questions have arisen regarding the timing of Durov’s arrest, particularly why he traveled to Paris despite a known warrant for his arrest.

In response to the arrest, French President Emmanuel Macron posted on X, clarifying that the detention was part of a judicial investigation and not a political move. “It is in no way a political decision. It is up to the judges to decide,” Macron stated, marking a rare public comment on a legal matter.

In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the charges as serious, requiring substantial evidence to avoid accusations of suppressing communication freedom or intimidating a major company leader.

The UAE has expressed concern and requested consular access for its citizen, while Elon Musk, CEO of X, has shown support for Durov with posts under the hashtag #FreePavel.

When the 96-hour questioning period concludes, the investigating magistrate may either release Durov, charge him and remand him in custody, or impose restrictions on his movements.

Durov, who has been living in Dubai, arrived in Paris from Baku, Azerbaijan, and was planning a dinner in the city. He was accompanied by his bodyguard and personal assistant.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was in Baku on August 18 and 19, though Peskov denied any meeting between the two.

France’s OFMIN, responsible for preventing violence against minors, issued the arrest warrant in a preliminary probe into alleged offenses including fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organized crime, and terrorism promotion.

Telegram responded, asserting that “Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe,” and that the platform adheres to EU laws, including the Digital Services Act. “It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform,” Telegram added.

The platform, which has positioned itself as a neutral alternative to US-owned services, has been significant in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, though it faces criticism for hosting illegal content and disinformation.