Arrest of Telegram Founder Sparks International Controversy

Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, was arrested in Paris, prompting criticism from Moscow and Elon Musk. Durov, a billionaire with dual French and UAE citizenship, was detained on an arrest warrant over allegations linked to moderation practices on Telegram. France's police are leading the investigation.

Pavel Durov, the billionaire founder of the Telegram messaging app, was detained shortly after landing on a private jet at Le Bourget airport outside Paris, sources revealed to Reuters. The arrest occurred on Saturday evening.

The 39-year-old tech magnate's detention led to a stern warning from Moscow demanding his rights be upheld. Criticism also came from Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter), who suggested free speech in Europe is under threat. Durov's arrest has not been officially confirmed, but sources indicate it was due to an arrest warrant in France.

Telegram, contending the legality of the arrest, noted that Durov often travels in Europe and accused authorities of unjustly holding the platform accountable for users' actions. The app is under scrutiny from European countries like France over security and data concerns.

(With inputs from agencies.)