Is Durov’s arrest retribution for his meeting with Putin? Is it French political warfare against Putin? Both the UAE and Russia seem to think so. French President Macron denies any political role.
Pavel Durov, the CEO of Telegram, has been detained in France on accusations that the messaging platform failed to adequately combat criminal activity, including the distribution of child sexual abuse material. The 39-year-old billionaire, originally from Russia, was apprehended on Saturday at Le Bourget airport near Paris, according to Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau. On Sunday, a judge extended his detention from 24 to 96 hours, with a decision expected by Wednesday evening on whether to press charges or release him as a witness in the investigation.
Durov is being questioned as part of a broader investigation by a cybercrime unit of the Paris prosecutor’s office, which is exploring various allegations against him and Telegram. These include the refusal to cooperate with legal wiretapping requests, enabling the distribution of child sexual abuse material, and facilitating drug trafficking.
On Monday, a French agency official focused on preventing violence against minors commented on LinkedIn that the case was centered on “the lack of moderation and cooperation of the platform.”
In a statement on Sunday, Telegram, which is based in Dubai, asserted that Durov has “nothing to hide” and that the platform complies with European laws. The company described the accusations as “absurd,” arguing that neither a platform nor its owner should be held accountable for the misuse of the service by its users. Telegram expressed hope for a swift resolution to the situation.
Founded by Pavel Durov and his brother Nikolai, Telegram has become one of the world’s most popular messaging apps, with 900 million active users. The platform’s relatively lenient approach to content moderation has led to allegations that it is often used for criminal activities and the dissemination of extremist content.
Before launching Telegram, the Durov brothers created VKontakte, a social media network that became highly successful in Russia. Pavel Durov, now with a net worth exceeding $9 billion according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, fled Russia in 2014 after selling his stake in VKontakte due to increasing pressure from the Kremlin.
Durov currently resides in Dubai and holds citizenship in France and the United Arab Emirates. It remains unclear whether he has renounced his Russian citizenship.
Following Durov’s detention, the Russian embassy in Paris requested an explanation from French authorities and demanded the protection of his rights, along with consular access. Embassy officials have been in contact with Durov’s lawyer. French President Emmanuel Macron took to social media to clarify that Durov’s arrest was “in no way a political decision” and emphasized that the judiciary would independently enforce the law.
Since Durov’s detention, there has been widespread speculation about his future. Russian media, including Nezavisimaya Gazeta, have highlighted the significance of the case, while Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov expressed caution, stating that more clarity was needed before commenting further.
In Russia, the story has sparked concerns about the potential consequences for the country, with some commentators worried that Western intelligence services might gain access to Telegram’s encryption keys. Others have warned that the detention could undermine the Russian military’s use of the platform, especially given its importance in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
In the West, Durov’s detention has ignited debates about free speech, while in Russia, officials have suggested that the true motive behind the arrest is to suppress Telegram, a platform known for its ability to share unfiltered information. Despite these claims, the Kremlin has denied any recent meeting between Durov and President Vladimir Putin.
Whatever the outcome, the case is likely to be used by Moscow to reinforce its narrative of Western hostility toward Russia.
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