Telegram’s CEO Pavel Durov Arrested Over Alleged Drug Trafficking, Others In France

Russian-born founder and CEO of the popular messaging platform Telegram, Pavel Durov, has been arrested in France and could face up to 20 years in prison, according to French news outlets.

Durov was reportedly detained at Le Bourget airport, located north of Paris, shortly after his private jet landed. The arrest followed a federal search warrant issued by the French National Directorate of Judicial Police.

The warrant was reportedly issued due to Durov’s failure to cooperate with French law enforcement. The Telegram CEO is accused of being an accomplice in drug trafficking and other serious crimes.

French media have suggested that Durov could face multiple charges, including those related to terrorism, drug trafficking, fraud, money laundering, and the dissemination of child abuse content.

Mario Nawfal, an investor and content curator on X (formerly known as Twitter), commented on the unfolding situation, stating, “Durov could face up to 20 years in prison. His arrest is attributed to Telegram’s lack of content moderation and his failure to cooperate with French law enforcement.”

Durov, who was born in Russia and now resides in Dubai, holds dual citizenship in the United Arab Emirates and France.

He founded Telegram in 2013 and has been living primarily in the UAE since leaving Russia in 2014. His departure from Russia was precipitated by his refusal to comply with government demands to shut down opposition communities on his VKontakte social media platform, which he subsequently sold. In 2021, Durov became both a French and Emirati citizen.

Telegram, which was banned in Russia in 2018 after Durov’s refusal to hand over user data, saw the ban reversed in 2021. The app now boasts over 950 million active monthly users worldwide.

The Russian foreign ministry has reacted strongly to Durov’s arrest. The ministry’s spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova posted on Telegram, questioning whether Western human rights NGOs would remain silent on Durov’s arrest, given their previous criticism of Russia’s attempts to limit Telegram’s operations in 2018.

Several Russian officials have also condemned the arrest, viewing it as an infringement on free speech and digital privacy.

In a recent interview with American journalist and political commentator Tucker Carlson, Durov discussed his fraught relationships with both the Russian and American governments. He revealed that the U.S. government had pressured him to install a surveillance “backdoor” in Telegram, a demand he firmly refused.

The arrest has sparked reactions globally, with high-profile figures like Elon Musk, owner of X, weighing in. Musk commented on the situation, posting, “POV: It’s 2030 in Europe and you’re being executed for liking a meme,” reflecting concerns over potential overreach by authorities.