Pavel Durov, the 39-year-old founder and CEO of Telegram, remains in French custody following his arrest at Le Bourget airport near Paris on August 24, 2024. Durov, who holds multiple citizenships including Russian and French, was detained upon arrival from Azerbaijan, despite reportedly being aware of an existing arrest warrant.French authorities are investigating Durov for alleged complicity in various crimes facilitated through Telegram, including terrorism, drug trafficking, fraud, and child exploitation. The investigation, led by the French National Police’s Juvenile Affairs Department, centers on accusations that Telegram’s lack of content moderation and cooperation with law enforcement has enabled criminal activities.The Russian embassy in France has officially requested access to Durov, citing his Russian citizenship. However, French authorities are prioritizing Durov’s French citizenship and have so far refused to engage with Russian officials on this matter. Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, confirmed that a diplomatic note requesting access had been sent.Durov’s lawyer, Frederic Belo, has stated that formal charges may be brought after questioning by a judicial investigator. If convicted, Durov could face up to 20 years in prison.The arrest has sparked international debate about platform moderation and free speech. Supporters of Durov, including American journalist Tucker Carlson and entrepreneur Elon Musk, have criticized the arrest as an attack on freedom of expression. Meanwhile, critics argue that Telegram should be held to the same content moderation standards as other social media platforms.As the legal proceedings unfold, the case continues to raise important questions about the balance between online privacy, freedom of expression, and the responsibility of platform owners in moderating content and cooperating with law enforcement.
Key points
- Pavel Durov remains in French custody following his arrest at Le Bourget airport on August 24, 2024.
- French authorities are investigating Durov for alleged complicity in crimes facilitated through Telegram.
- Russia has officially requested access to Durov, but France is prioritizing his French citizenship.
- The case has sparked international debate about platform moderation and free speech.
Contradictions👾There are conflicting reports about Durov’s travel origin, with some sources stating he arrived from Azerbaijan, while others mention Dubai.
👾Sources differ on whether Durov was aware of the arrest warrant before traveling to France, with some suggesting he knew, while others imply he may have been unaware.
