Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Arrested Amid French Cybercrime Probe

Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, was arrested in France in connection with investigations into child pornography, drug trafficking, and fraudulent transactions on his platform. Despite claims of political motives, French President Macron assured the public the arrest was part of a legal investigation. Durov can be held until Wednesday.

Pavel Durov, the Russian-born founder of the Telegram messaging app, was detained in France over allegations related to child pornography, drug trafficking, and fraudulent activities on the platform, according to French prosecutors.

French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed Durov's arrest, stating it was strictly a judicial matter unconnected to politics, despite online rumors. He emphasized France's commitment to lawful free speech.

Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau noted that Durov's arrest stemmed from a cybercrime unit's probe launched on July 8. The investigation addresses suspected complicity in various crimes, including managing an online platform for illicit transactions and refusing to provide information to authorities.

(With inputs from agencies.)