French authorities have extended the detention of Pavel Durov, the Russian-born founder of Telegram, following his arrest at Paris’s Le Bourget airport. Durov, 39, was detained on Saturday after arriving from Baku on his private jet.
The arrest was made in connection with an investigation into allegations of fraud, drug trafficking, organized crime, promotion of terrorism, and cyberbullying, all purportedly linked to his messaging platform.
The French investigators had issued an arrest warrant for Durov, accusing him of failing to take adequate measures to prevent the criminal use of Telegram. His decision to travel to Paris despite being aware of the warrant took many by surprise. “It’s time to end Telegram’s impunity,” commented one investigator.
In response, Telegram released a statement on Sunday, asserting that the platform complies with EU laws, including the Digital Services Act, and maintains moderation practices consistent with industry standards. “Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and frequently travels across Europe. The notion that a platform or its owner can be held accountable for its misuse is absurd. We anticipate a swift resolution to this matter,” the statement read.
Durov’s detention was extended beyond Sunday night by the investigating magistrate overseeing the case. Under French law, this initial detention for questioning can last up to 96 hours. Once this period concludes, the judge will decide whether to release Durov or press charges and extend his custody.
The Russian government has criticized France for what it describes as a lack of cooperation following Durov’s arrest. The Russian embassy in Paris has requested access to Durov, accusing France of avoiding engagement on the issue.
Durov, who left Russia in 2014 after refusing to shut down opposition groups on VK, a social network he founded at age 22, shifted his focus to Telegram after a dispute with VK’s Kremlin-linked owners. Founded in 2013 with his brother Nikolai, Telegram has grown into one of the world’s most popular messaging apps, with 950 million monthly active users. The app has also become a significant source of both information and disinformation, particularly regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Durov currently resides in Dubai, where Telegram is headquartered. He holds citizenship in France and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In a recent statement, Durov explained his decision to settle in Dubai, citing the favorable business environment and the country’s “neutrality.” Unlike in the West, where governments are increasingly pressuring social media platforms to moderate content, the UAE imposes minimal restrictions on Telegram.
Dmitry Medvedev, the former Russian president and now a prominent figure in Russia’s security council, responded to Durov’s arrest by suggesting that the Telegram founder made a mistake by leaving Russia. “He miscalculated,” Medvedev said. “For our common enemies, he is still Russian—and therefore seen as unpredictable and dangerous.”
Meanwhile, American commentator and conspiracy theorist Tucker Carlson weighed in on the arrest, describing Durov as “a living warning to any platform owner who refuses to censor the truth at the behest of governments and intelligence agencies.” Earlier this year, Durov told Carlson in an interview that Telegram should remain a “neutral platform” rather than “a player in geopolitics,” emphasizing that users appreciate the app’s independence, privacy, and freedom.
