Pavel Durov, the Russian-Born Telegram Founder, Arrested in France
Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Arrested in France
Who is Pavel Durov?
Pavel Durov is the co-founder and former CEO of Telegram, a popular encrypted messaging app with over 500 million active users worldwide.
Durov is a Russian-born entrepreneur and investor with an estimated net worth of $15 billion.
Circumstances of the Arrest
Durov was detained at the Paris-Le Bourget airport on Saturday, April 9, 2023, after arriving by a private plane from Baku, Azerbaijan.
The arrest was made by the French National Anti-Fraud Office (ONAF).
Charges and Investigation
Durov has not been charged with any crime.
He is currently in custody and being questioned by ONAF officials.
The nature of the investigation is unclear.
Potential Reasons for Arrest
- Possible financial irregularities related to Telegram's operations
- Alleged connections to Russian intelligence agencies
- Unpaid taxes or other legal violations
Impact on Telegram
It is unclear how Durov's arrest will affect the operations of Telegram.
The company has not commented on the situation.
Background of Pavel Durov
- Born on October 10, 1984, in Leningrad, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
- Graduated from Saint Petersburg State University with a degree in philology
- Co-founded VKontakte, the largest social media network in Russia, in 2006
- Left Russia in 2014 after clashing with the Russian government
- Launched Telegram in 2013
- Known for his outspoken criticism of government censorship and surveillance
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