Russia makes urgent request to France after arrest of Telegram founder

According to French media, Pavel Durov, a Russian technology entrepreneur who also holds French, UAE and Saint Kitts and Nevis citizenship, was arrested after landing at Paris-Le Bourget airport on July 24 and is due to appear in court on the evening of August 25.

French authorities have reportedly issued an arrest warrant for Durov, citing inadequate moderation of his platform, which has led to Telegram’s widespread use by criminals.

French media reported that Durov could be charged with complicity in terrorism, drug trafficking, fraud and child pornography. The Telegram founder and CEO could face up to 20 years in prison.

Russian human rights official Tatiana Moskalkova said, “The real reason for Pavel Durov’s arrest is an attempt to shut down Telegram as an internet source of information where people can learn the truth about world events.”

Pavel Durov, 39, was born in St. Petersburg, Russia. In 2006, he founded the social media platform VK, often described as the “Facebook of Russia.” In 2013, he launched Telegram.

Telegram ranks as one of the largest social media platforms after Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok and Wechat. The platform aims to reach one billion users next year.

After Russia launched its military campaign in Ukraine in 2022, Telegram became the main platform for both Russia and Ukraine to report on the fighting and political situation surrounding the conflict.

The app has become a favorite media outlet for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and officials in his administration. The Kremlin and the Russian government also use the app to spread Russian propaganda. It is also one of the few platforms where Russians can access news about the war in Ukraine.

Durov, whose fortune is estimated by Forbes at $15.5 billion, said some governments had tried to pressure him, but the Telegram app, which now has 900 million active users, remained a “neutral platform” and not “a player in geopolitics”.