Telegram CEO Pavel Durov arrested at Paris airport under a warrant. The arrest raises questions about his future and the impact on Telegram.
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Pavel Durov, the CEO of Telegram, was arrested on August 24, 2024, at Le Bourget Airport near Paris. French police detained him right after he stepped off his private jet. Durov, 39, was arrested under a search warrant. However, the exact charges are still unknown.
Reports say French secret services might have carried out the arrest. This information has not been officially confirmed.
The incident happened around 8 p.m., according to local sources. Durov was traveling with a bodyguard and a woman when the arrest took place.
This sudden event has raised many questions about what will happen to Durov and Telegram. Telegram is a popular messaging app, especially in Russia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet countries.
In 2018, Russia banned Telegram because Durov refused to share user data with the government. The ban was lifted in 2021, but there has always been tension between the app and Russian authorities.
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After Durov’s arrest, Telegram’s cryptocurrency, Toncoin (TON), dropped by 13%. This shows the immediate effect on the company’s finances. The lack of clear details about the charges makes the situation even more uncertain.
Who is Pavel Durov?
Durov was born in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), Russia, in 1984. He is a Russian-born tech entrepreneur who has become a global figure in the digital world. He grew up in Italy and now resides in Dubai, holding citizenship in several countries.
Often called "Russia's Mark Zuckerberg," Durov is best known for founding Vkontakte (VK), Russia's largest social networking site. After being dismissed from VK in 2014, he left Russia and went on to create Telegram, a highly popular instant messaging app.
Durov is known for his distinct style, often dressing in black like Neo from The Matrix. He’s also a proud sperm donor, having helped over a hundred couples in 12 countries to have children.
Forbes estimates his fortune at $15.5 billion (£12 billion), making him one of the wealthiest tech moguls today.
What’s Behind the High-Profile Arrest?
Pavel Durov’s arrest at Le Bourget Airport has attracted a lot of attention. As the founder and CEO of Telegram, people are wondering why he was detained.
French authorities arrested Durov because of a warrant from OFMIN, an agency that works to protect children from violence. The arrest is part of an early investigation into serious claims, such as fraud, drug dealing, cyberbullying, organized crime, and supporting terrorism.
Durov was arrested right after his private jet landed. There are hints that French secret services might be involved, but this isn’t confirmed.
