Durov, who had been traveling from Azerbaijan on his private jet, was arrested under a French warrant related to an ongoing investigation into Telegram’s alleged involvement in facilitating criminal activities, including terrorism, narcotics trafficking, and fraud, as reported by Reuters.
French authorities accused the popular messaging platform of enabling a wide range of illegal activities without adequately moderating or cooperating with law enforcement.
This development comes amidst growing scrutiny of Telegram’s role in providing an encrypted platform that, while protecting user privacy, is also vulnerable to misuse by criminal organizations.
Details of Durov’s arrest indicate that the warrant was activated as soon as he landed on French soil.
Sources close to the investigation revealed that Durov, accompanied by a bodyguard and a woman, was taken into custody by the Air Transport Gendarmerie.
The arrest was carried out under a French search warrant issued by the French judicial police, specifically targeting Durov for his alleged role in facilitating these criminal activities via Telegram.
Despite the high-profile nature of the case, Telegram has yet to issue a statement.
Similarly, French authorities have remained tight-lipped, with the Interior Ministry and police declining to comment on the matter.
The National Anti-Fraud Office (ONAF) is reportedly overseeing the investigation.
A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Joe Igbokwe, has said Seyi Tinubu, son…
IPOB PRESS RELEASE 22/11/2024 SIMON EKPA IS NOT AN IPOB MEMBER AND MUST NOT BE…
NEWSPAPER HEADLINES FOR FRIDAY 22ND NOVEMBER 2024. *PUNCH* Gombe begins N28bn Assembly, high court complexes…
Former bread seller turned model, Olajumoke Orisaguna, popularly known as Olajumoke Onibread, has opened up…
Senate Majority Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele has denies reports that he was involved in a fight…
– says lawmakers united to meet yearnings of Lagosians – accuses detractors of peddling news…