Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Detained by French Authorities

Reports suggest that Pavel Durov, the mastermind behind the widely-used messaging service Telegram, has been taken into custody by French officials. The apprehension is reportedly linked to an ongoing investigation into alleged infractions involving the encrypted communication platform.

According to French news outlets, including the respected Le Monde, Durov was apprehended as he touched down at Le Bourget airfield, just outside Paris, having flown in from Azerbaijan on his personal aircraft. Le Monde’s account, which cites unnamed sources close to the matter, appears to corroborate the detention.

The story gained further traction when Bloomberg highlighted a social media post by Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, who seemed to confirm the incident.

It has come to light that French law enforcement has initiated a preliminary inquiry into Telegram’s operations. L’Office Mineurs (OFMIN), a body tasked with investigating crimes against young people, has reportedly issued a warrant to search the company’s premises and records.

AFP reports that the scope of the investigation is broad, encompassing allegations of fraudulent activities, narcotics distribution, online harassment, and the facilitation of organised criminal networks through the platform. These concerns stem from perceived shortcomings in Telegram’s content moderation practices.

The Office of Financial Market Integrity (OFMIN) is spearheading the investigation into Durov’s activities. Sources indicate that Durov was expected to face a court hearing on 25 August. Given the severity of the alleged offences, if found guilty, Durov could potentially face a custodial sentence of up to two decades.

Despite the legal challenges faced by Pavel Durov, the TON blockchain network, which is integrated with Telegram but operates independently, continues to function without interruption. The official TON social media account recently confirmed the protocol’s continued stability and highlighted the positive response from its user base amidst the current situation. Notably, Telegram has not yet issued any statement regarding the alleged detention of its founder.

TON’s social media post expressed solidarity with Durov, stating: “Our community, which values free expression and decentralisation, wholeheartedly supports Pavel during this difficult period. His unwavering commitment to these principles and his efforts to champion an unrestricted, decentralised internet continue to be an inspiration to millions.”

On 24 August, Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and owner of the X platform, demonstrated his support for Durov by sharing a previous interview between Durov and independent journalist Tucker Carlson on his social media account, accompanied by the hashtag #FreePavel.

In a video statement released prior to these events, Durov had spoken positively about Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, viewing it as a step forward for technological progress and the advancement of free speech.

Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, responded to a social media post by American entrepreneur Balaji Srinivasan, offering his perspective on the matter. Despite having previously criticised Telegram’s encryption practices, Buterin expressed serious concerns about the recent allegations against the platform. He emphasised the potential ramifications for software and communication freedom in Europe, describing the initial developments as “deeply troubling and alarming”.

As discussions about the situation gained momentum on social media, with Telegram becoming a trending topic on the X platform, several prominent figures shared their thoughts. Among them was Robert Kennedy Jr., the American politician who ended his presidential campaign in August 2024. Kennedy emphasised that Durov’s alleged arrest underscored the crucial need to protect platforms dedicated to free speech and privacy.