French authorities have extended the detention of Telegram CEO and founder, Pavel Durov, following his arrest at Le Bourget airport near Paris on Saturday evening.
The Russian-born tech mogul was apprehended under a warrant related to alleged offenses connected to the controversial messaging app, Telegram.
Durov, 39, was initially detained after arriving in Paris from Baku, Azerbaijan, where he had planned to dine in the French capital.
He was accompanied by a bodyguard and a personal assistant at the time of his arrest.
Sources close to the investigation revealed that Durov’s detention has been extended by the investigating magistrate handling the case.
Under French law, this period of detention for questioning can last up to 96 hours, after which the judge may either release Durov or press charges and remand him in further custody.
The arrest marks a significant development in Durov’s high-profile career, during which he created one of the world’s most influential messaging platforms.
The warrant for his arrest was issued by France’s OFMIN, an office dedicated to preventing violence against minors.
It is part of a preliminary investigation into alleged offenses including fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organized crime, and the promotion of terrorism.
Durov is accused of failing to take adequate measures to prevent the criminal use of Telegram.
In response to the arrest, Russia has accused France of “refusing to cooperate,” while tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has publicly defended Durov.
A spokesperson for Telegram asserted that Durov has “nothing to hide” and frequently travels in Europe. The spokesperson emphasized that Telegram complies with EU laws, including the Digital Services Act, and stated,
“It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner is responsible for the abuse of that platform.”