French authorities have extended the detention of Pavel Durov, the 39-year-old Russian-born founder and CEO of Telegram, after his arrest at a Paris airport. His detention has been prolonged beyond the initial 96-hour period allowed for questioning. A judge will decide whether to release him or press charges and keep him in custody.
Russia has criticized France for allegedly “refusing to cooperate” with its demands regarding Durov’s case. Tech mogul Elon Musk has publicly supported Durov, using the hashtag #FreePavel on social media.
Durov holds French citizenship among other nationalities. He had arrived in Paris from Baku, Azerbaijan, and was planning to have dinner in the city. He was accompanied by a bodyguard and a personal assistant, according to a source familiar with the case.
The French office OFMIN, responsible for preventing violence against minors, had issued an arrest warrant for Durov in connection with a preliminary investigation. The investigation involves allegations of fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organized crime, and promoting terrorism. Durov is accused of not taking sufficient action to prevent criminal use of his messaging platform.
Telegram responded by stating that Durov “has nothing to hide” and that the company complies with EU laws, including the Digital Services Act. The company added that it follows industry standards for moderation and criticized claims that the platform or its owner are responsible for misuse.
Durov founded Telegram in 2013 after facing ownership issues with his previous venture, the Russian social network VKontakte (VK), which he claimed was due to interference from the Kremlin. Telegram has gained popularity for its ease of use and video-sharing capabilities but faces criticism for hosting illegal content and disinformation.
Russia’s embassy in Paris has requested access to Durov but has reported no response from French authorities, accusing France of “refusing to cooperate.” The Russian foreign ministry has also requested consular access, citing Durov’s French citizenship as a reason for the lack of access.
US whistleblower Edward Snowden criticized the detention as an “assault on basic human rights,” expressing disappointment that Paris would use such measures to gain access to private communications.
Telegram, based in Dubai, is known for its commitment to user privacy and independence from US-owned platforms. Durov has previously stated that the platform has over 900 million active users and emphasizes its role in providing privacy and freedom compared to other messaging services.
