(WJET/WFXP) — Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of the popular messaging service Telegram, has been arrested in France.
French outlet TF1 Info was the first to report the arrest, saying that Durov was taken into custody at Le Bourget airport around 8 p.m. Saturday night. According to TF1 Info, the 39-year-old billionaire was accompanied by his bodyguard and a woman.
French authorities have issued a search warrant for Durov, which was approved by the OFMIN (Office for Combating Violence Against Minors) of the French National Directorate of Judicial Police on the basis of a preliminary investigation.
According to TF1: “(The) Justice believes that the lack of moderation, cooperation with law enforcement and the tools offered by Telegram (disposable number, crypto, etc.) make him an accomplice to drug trafficking, paedophile crimes and fraud.”
Durov will appear in court and could face charges on a range of offences, including terrorism, drugs, complicity, fraud, money laundering and receiving stolen goods.
This story is still developing. As we receive more information, we will share it.
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