Russian-French billionaire Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of the Telegram messaging app, was arrested at Bourget airport near Paris, France, Reuters reports.
The arrest was linked to a preliminary police investigation related to concerns over insufficient moderation on Telegram, which is believed to have allowed criminal activity on the platform. Telegram, a major messaging app with nearly one billion users, is a significant platform for unfiltered information, particularly related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Durov, who left Russia in 2014 after refusing to comply with government demands, has expressed a desire for Telegram to remain a neutral platform.
Durov, who was traveling on his private jet from Azerbaijan, faces possible indictment. The arrest has sparked criticism, particularly from Russian officials and some Western figures like Elon Musk and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who view it as an attack on free speech.
