In a dramatic turn of events, Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of the encrypted messaging service Telegram, was arrested at Le Bourget airport in France. The 39-year-old Franco-Russian entrepreneur, accompanied by his bodyguard and a woman, found himself in the custody of French authorities.
The arrest operation involved multiple agencies: the Air Transport Gendarmerie (GTA), the Cyberspace Gendarmerie Command (COMCyberGEND), the National Anti-Fraud Office (ONAF), and the Border Police (PAF). Pavel Durov, listed in the wanted persons file (FPR), had arrived from Azerbaijan. French authorities had issued a search warrant based on a preliminary investigation conducted by the Minors Office (OFMIN) of the national directorate of the French judicial police.
Why was Pavel Durov wanted?
Justice alleges that Telegram’s lack of moderation, its refusal to cooperate with law enforcement, and the tools it provides (such as disposable numbers and cryptocurrencies) make it an accomplice in drug trafficking, pedocriminal offenses, and fraud. The search warrant applied only if Durov was on French territory. His recent travel patterns—avoiding Europe and countries where Telegram is under surveillance—suggest awareness of his persona non grata status in France.
Investigators from the National Anti-Fraud Office (ONAF) placed Pavel Durov in police custody. He is scheduled to appear before an investigating judge, facing a range of charges including terrorism, narcotics, complicity, fraud, money laundering, and pedocriminal content. His platform allegedly allowed countless crimes to occur without moderation or cooperation. Despite being a billionaire, his pre-trial detention seems inevitable, as his guarantees of representation may not sway the judges.
This arrest reverberates globally. First, it sends a strong message to criminals who have exploited Telegram’s perceived anonymity. Second, it pressures European nations to collaborate more effectively in tackling terrorism cases involving secure messaging platforms.
Telegram, once known for privacy, has become a hub for criminal content. Beyond terrorism, dangerous pedophiles use it to exchange illicit material. As one investigator aptly put it, “For years, it has become THE number 1 platform for organized crime.”
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[…] However, his presence in France allowed local authorities to detain him. A search warrant for Pavel Durov was valid only if he was in the country. “He made a blunder this evening. We don’t know […]