The services detained billionaire Pavel Durov as he disembarked from his private jet after arriving from Azerbaijan. Durov was arrested at around 8pm at Le Bourget airport, outside Paris, by GTA (Air Transport Gendarmerie) officers.
The Telegram founder was facing an arrest warrant issued by French authorities based on a preliminary investigation. Authorities claim that Telegram’s lack of moderation, lack of cooperation with law enforcement and the tools it provides (disposable numbers and cryptocurrencies) make him an accomplice in drug trafficking, pedophilia and fraud.
The order is only valid if Durov is on French territory. It is unclear why the billionaire, who has avoided France, decided to fly there. The tech tycoon usually travels to the UAE, countries in the former Soviet Union and South America. He has rarely been to Europe and has avoided places where Telegram is monitored.
Durov is currently in police custody. He was due to appear before an investigating judge before being charged with a series of crimes, TF1 Info reports. He faces charges of complicity in terrorism, drug trafficking, fraud, money laundering, receiving stolen goods and disseminating pedophile content.
