The billionaire founder and CEO of the messaging app Telegram, Pavel Durov, was detained at Bourget Airport outside the French capital, Paris.
DETENTION PERIOD EXTENDED
According to information obtained from sources close to the investigation, the 39-year-old Durov's detention period has been extended by the investigating magistrate handling the case.
ARREST WARRANT HAD BEEN ISSUED
French investigators had issued an arrest warrant for Durov as part of an investigation into allegations of fraud, drug trafficking, organized crime, promoting terrorism, and cyberbullying. Durov is accused of failing to take action to prevent the criminal use of his platform.
Durov, who arrived in Paris from Baku on his private jet on Saturday night, was stopped and detained at the airport. The initial detention period for Durov can last up to 96 hours, at the end of which a decision will be made on whether to release him or file formal charges.
STATEMENT FROM TELEGRAM
In a statement released on Sunday evening, Telegram stated that the company complies with European Union laws, including the Digital Services Act, and that its moderation processes are in line with industry standards.
Telegram also emphasized that its CEO, Pavel Durov, has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe. The statement included the following: "It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner is responsible for the abuse of that platform. We look forward to a prompt resolution to this situation."
WHO IS PAVEL DUROV?
Durov, who is also the founder of Russia's popular social media site VK, left Russia in 2014.
Durov, who holds citizenship in France, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, and St. Kitts and Nevis, is estimated to have a net worth of approximately 15 billion dollars.
The number of monthly active users of Telegram, one of the world's popular instant messaging and social media applications, has reached 900 million people.
News Source: 12punto
