Telegram Billionaire Pavel Durov’s Arrest Linked to Wider Probe, Authorities Say
Prosecutors in France said Telegram founder Pavel Durov was arrested in connection with a cybercrime and anti-fraud investigation into illegal activity on the platform and refusing to cooperate with law enforcement.
Durov’s arrest, according to prosecutor Laure Beccuau, was part of an inquiry opened on July 8 “against person unnamed” involving potential charges such as aiding in the distribution of child sexual abuse material, money laundering, and selling illegal drugs.
The messaging app said its founder has “nothing to hide” following his arrest in France on Saturday. The 39-year-old billionaire CEO of the company was detained after his private jet landed at Le Bourget airport outside Paris over the weekend.