French Authorities Arrest Telegram Founder Pavel Durov on Multiple Charges

Pavel Durov, Telegram's founder, was detained in France on charges linked to child pornography, drug trafficking, and fraud on the platform. French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the arrest and maintained it wasn't politically motivated. The investigation is part of a broader probe into crimes facilitated through Telegram. Tensions between France and Russia have escalated following the arrest.

Pavel Durov, the Russian-born founder of the messaging app Telegram, has been arrested in France as part of an investigation into serious crimes, including child pornography, drug trafficking, and fraudulent transactions on the platform, French prosecutors announced Monday. French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed Durov's arrest, emphasizing it wasn't politically motivated despite online claims. Macron assured that France remains committed to lawful free speech.

'The arrest of the Telegram president on French territory took place as part of an ongoing judicial investigation,' Macron wrote on X. 'This is in no way a political decision. It is up to the judges to decide.' Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau added that Durov was apprehended as part of a probe launched by the office's cybercrime unit on July 8, investigating various crimes including running an illicit platform, child pornography, drug trafficking, fraud, money laundering, and more.

Durov, who can be detained until Wednesday, has endured criticism from X owner Elon Musk and calls from Moscow for fair treatment. Tensions between France and Russia have risen, with allegations that Russia seeks to destabilize France amid its strong stance on the Ukraine war. Telegram, influential in Russia, Ukraine, and ex-Soviet republics, denied being responsible for platform abuse and stressed its adherence to European Union laws.

(With inputs from agencies.)