French Authorities Extend Detention of Telegram Founder Pavel Durov
Paris, The Gulf Observer: French judicial authorities have extended the detention of Pavel Durov, the Russian-born founder and chief of the popular messaging app Telegram, following his arrest at a Paris airport over alleged offences related to his platform. The extension was confirmed by an investigating magistrate overseeing the case, according to sources close to the investigation.
Durov, 39, was initially detained on arrival in Paris from Baku, Azerbaijan, where he had planned to have dinner in the French capital. Accompanied by a bodyguard and a personal assistant, Durov’s detention, which began over the weekend, has now been extended beyond Sunday night. French law allows for an initial period of detention for questioning to last up to 96 hours. Following this period, the presiding judge will decide whether to release Durov or press charges, potentially leading to further custody.
The arrest stems from an ongoing preliminary investigation initiated by France’s Office for the Prevention of Violence Against Minors (OFMIN). According to sources, Durov is under investigation for alleged offences including fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organized crime, and the promotion of terrorism. The allegations center on the failure to curb criminal activities on Telegram, a platform that has drawn scrutiny from various governments for its encrypted messaging services.
In response, Telegram issued a statement asserting Durov’s innocence and compliance with European Union regulations, including the Digital Services Act. “Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe,” the statement read, adding, “Telegram abides by EU laws, including the Digital Services Act — its moderation is within industry standards. It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform.”
Russia has criticized France’s handling of the case, accusing the French government of “refusing to cooperate” with Russian authorities. Elon Musk, a fellow tech mogul, also expressed support for Durov, adding to the international attention surrounding the case.
As the investigation unfolds, the global tech community closely watches the legal proceedings, which could have significant implications for digital platforms and their responsibilities in preventing criminal activity.
