Pavel Durov, the billionaire CEO of Telegram, was taken into custody at Bourget Airport near Paris on Saturday evening, French news outlets TF1 and BFM TV reported.
Durov, who was traveling on his private jet from Azerbaijan, was arrested under a French warrant related to a preliminary investigation into Telegram’s alleged role in facilitating criminal activities.
The French authorities are investigating Telegram’s potential involvement in criminal activities, but details of the case remain scarce. The French Interior Ministry and police declined to comment on the matter.
Telegram has not responded to requests for comment on Durov’s detention. The company’s silence has sparked speculation about the nature of the investigation and the implications for the popular messaging app.
According to TF1, Durov was arrested at around 20:00 (18:00 GMT) on Saturday evening. The warrant was issued under French law, and Durov’s detention marks a significant development in the investigation into Telegram’s activities.
