Why Telegram CEO Pavel Durov was arrested in France: summary

FILE PHOTO: Founder and CEO of Telegram Pavel Durov delivers a keynote speech during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain February 23, 2016. REUTERS/Albert Gea/File Photo

Source: X01398

What we know

French President Emmanuel Macon has said the arrest of Telegram boss, Pavel Durov is not politically motivated but it's rather a part of a judicial probe.
Pavel Durov, 39, was apprehended upon his arrival at Le Bourget Airport in Paris from Azerbaijan on the night of Saturday, August 24. This detention followed the issuance of an arrest warrant, as reported by several sources citing anonymous informants.
The investigation reportedly centres on inadequate moderation as Telegram faces allegations of non-cooperation with law enforcement regarding drug trafficking, child sexual content, and fraud. The app has previously denied claims of insufficient moderation.
Pavel Durov, born in Russia, now resides in Dubai, where Telegram is based. He holds dual citizenship in the UAE and France. Durov founded Telegram in 2013 and left Russia in 2014 after refusing government demands to shut down opposition communities on his VKontakte platform, which he later sold.
Telegram is considered one of the leading social media platforms, following Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, and WeChat.

What they said

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday, August 26 clarified on X that the arrest was not a political manhunt but emphasised: "The arrest of the president of Telegram on French soil took place as part of an ongoing judicial investigation. It is in no way a political decision. It is up to the judges to rule on the matter."

Abigail Johnson Boakye