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French authorities have extended the detention of Pavel Durov, the billionaire founder of Telegram, following his arrest at Le Bourget airport outside Paris.
Durov, 39, was apprehended on Saturday night after arriving from Baku on his private jet.
His arrest is part of a broader inquiry into alleged offenses related to the Telegram messaging app, including fraud, drug trafficking, organized crime, promotion of terrorism, and cyberbullying.
In spite of these serious allegations, there are those who find it hard to believe that Durov, who has positioned himself as a staunch defender of privacy and free speech, would be complicit in such activities.
Read Also: Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Arrested in France Amid Scrutiny Over App’s Use
Durov’s arrest has sparked a wave of reactions, with some observers pointing to his refusal to cooperate with Russian authorities as a potential motive for his current predicament.
Dmitry Medvedev, former Russian president and current deputy head of Russia’s security council, suggested that Durov’s decision to flee Russia in 2014 may have made him a target abroad.
“For all our common enemies now, he is Russian—and therefore unpredictable and dangerous,” Medvedev stated.
Meanwhile, others believe that Durov’s commitment to keeping Telegram a “neutral platform” and resisting government pressure could be the real reason behind the intensified scrutiny he is facing in Europe.
The ongoing investigation has led to Durov being held incommunicado, with his detention extended beyond the initial period.
Telegram issued a statement defending its founder, asserting that the platform abides by EU laws and that it is
“absurd to claim that a platform or its owner is responsible for the abuse of that platform.” The company added, “Telegram’s CEO Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe.”
However, as the situation unfolds, Durov’s supporters await further developments, hoping for a resolution that aligns with his long-standing commitment to privacy and freedom of expression.
