Telegram CEO Pavel Durov arrested in Paris: French media

PARIS — The founder and CEO of the popular encrypted messaging service Telegram has been arrested at a Paris airport, French media reported Sunday.

Pavel Durov was arrested at Le Bourget airport in Paris on Saturday evening after landing in France from Azerbaijan, broadcasters LCI and TF1 reported.

Detectives from France’s Anti-Fraud Office, which is attached to customs, told Durov that he was being held by police, the broadcasters reported.

French prosecutors declined to comment on Durov’s arrest when contacted by the Associated Press news agency on Sunday, under the rules of an ongoing investigation.

According to French media, an arrest warrant has been issued by France for Durov, 39, because his encrypted platform is used for money laundering, drug trafficking and sharing content related to the sexual exploitation of minors.

Western governments have often criticized Telegram for the messaging service’s lack of content moderation.

Russian officials expressed outrage at Durov’s arrest, with some highlighting what they called the West’s double standards when it comes to freedom of expression.

“In 2018, a group of 26 NGOs, including Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Freedom House, Reporters Without Borders, the Committee to Protect Journalists and others, condemned the Russian court’s decision to block Telegram,” said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.

“Do you think this time they will appeal to Paris and demand Durov’s release?” Zakharova wrote in a message on her personal Telegram account.