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Pavel Durov, founder and CEO of Telegram, has reportedly been arrested at Le Bourget airport in France under a search warrant issued by the French judicial police. The arrest follows accusations that Telegram facilitates crimes like drug trafficking and fraud due to its anonymity features. Durov faces serious charges, including terrorism and narcotics trafficking.
Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Arrested in France
Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, was arrested on Saturday evening at Le Bourget airport as he disembarked from his private jet, French news outlet TF1 Info reported. Durov, a 39-year-old Franco-Russian, was accompanied by a bodyguard and a woman at the time of his arrest by the Air Transport Gendarmerie.
Durov’s arrest followed his arrival from Azerbaijan and was executed under a French search warrant issued by the OFMIN of the French judicial police, due to his inclusion in the wanted persons file (FPR). The warrant was activated solely upon his presence on French soil. A source close to the investigation told the news outlet, as translated by Google:
He made a blunder this evening. We don’t know why … Was this flight just a stopover? In any case, he’s in custody!
Durov has been detained by the National Anti-Fraud Office (ONAF). French authorities accuse Telegram of facilitating crimes such as terrorism, narcotics trafficking, and fraud, among others. A source familiar with the investigation further told the French news outlet:
On his platform, he allowed an incalculable number of offences and crimes to be committed, for which he did nothing to moderate or cooperate.
The price of toncoin (TON) plummeted following the news. As of writing, TON is trading at $5.96, down 13% from earlier today.