Official announcements from French judicial authorities or verified news sources

Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Arrested in France at Le Bourget Airport

Aug 24, 2024, 08:54 PM

Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, was arrested in France at Paris's Le Bourget airport upon arrival on his private jet from Azerbaijan. French authorities have placed him under investigation by the National Office of the Judicial Police (OFMI) for allegedly allowing Russian propaganda to spread on Telegram. Durov, who holds both Russian and French citizenship, faces potential charges including support for terrorism, drug trafficking, complicity in crimes, mass fraud, money laundering, and distribution of illegal content. Reports from French channel TF1 indicate that he was detained as part of a preliminary investigation, and he was on a federal watchlist.