The French prosecutor’s office has made waves by arresting Telegram CEO, Pavel Durov, citing a dozen serious charges against the Russian-born billionaire. The arrest has sent shockwaves across the tech world and raised concerns about the implications for digital freedom and regulatory oversight in Europe.
He exited the anti-fraud office outside Paris in what appeared to be a police vehicle on Wednesday afternoon.
The Paris prosecutor’s office said he would now face “initial questioning and possible indictment” at a court in the French capital.
Durov, 39, was detained at Paris’s Bourget Airport on Saturday on a warrant related to Telegram’s lack of moderation. He was being investigated on charges relating to a host of crimes, including allegations that his platform was complicit in aiding fraudsters, drug traffickers and people spreading child pornography.
The Bayesian Superyacht Tragedy: A Deadly Whirlwind off the Coast of Palermo – USA Herald
Charges Against Telegram CEO
The Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office released a statement detailing the arrest, which took place following a judicial investigation initiated on July 8. This investigation, led by the cybercrime unit of the prosecutor’s office, has resulted in Durov being held in police custody since 8 p.m. local time on the day of his arrest.
