Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Arrested in France, Released on €5 Million Bail Amid FBI Warrant

Sep 6, 2024, 01:10 AM

Telegram founder Pavel Durov has been arrested in France and is under investigation for allegedly allowing the platform to be used for criminal activities. Durov was detained by French police at the VIP lounge of Le Bourget Airport in Paris. Following his arrest, Durov has been prohibited from leaving France for six months and has been released on a €5 million bail, with €1 million paid immediately and the remaining €4 million in installments. In response to the arrest, Telegram has updated its policies to allow users to report illegal content in private chats, a significant shift from its previous stance. Additionally, the FBI has issued a warrant for Durov's arrest. Russian President Vladimir Putin criticized the French authorities' actions, calling them selective and expressing confusion over the arrest. Durov has stated that he is committed to preventing abuse of Telegram's platform, which serves over 950 million users, and is prepared to leave markets that are incompatible with the company's principles.