2024-08-30 06:26:35
The founder and CEO of the Telegram messenger Pavel Durov was detained on the runway of Le Bourget airport after arriving on a private jet.
TF1 writes about this.
The operation was carried out by members of the Gendarmerie Air Transport Service (GTA). The arrest was made on the basis of a French search warrant issued by the National Criminal Police Directorate as part of a preliminary investigation. Durov arrived from Azerbaijan and his name was included in the wanted persons register (FPR).
The reason for Durov’s search was the French authorities’ suspicion that Telegram was being used for criminal activity. The arrest was made possible by Durov’s accidental presence in France. A source close to the investigation said that this was a mistake, as Durov avoided countries where Telegram was under close scrutiny by law enforcement.
Investigators from the National Anti-Fraud Bureau (ONAF) informed Durov of the warrant and detained him. He is due to appear before an investigator on Saturday, with the possibility of being charged with crimes such as terrorism, drug trafficking, fraud and dissemination of paedophile content.
Durov’s arrest has international resonance, as it allows a blow to criminal groups using Telegram for illegal activities. The platform has long attracted the attention of law enforcement agencies as the main channel for organized crime.
Pavel Durov faces up to 20 years in prison in France. He will soon appear in court as a French citizen.
Telegram LLC has already developed a plan of action in case of his arrest, which is now coming into force. This plan was approved by Durov himself and will be activated the day after the arrest.
According to the plan, the management of the company will be transferred to the Telegram programmers’ council, which will take responsibility for the further functioning of the messenger and the implementation of all its tasks.
Earlier, “Cursor” reported that Pavel Durov has more than 100 biological children.