Hey there, have you heard the latest buzz? France made a bold move by arresting Pavel Durov, the owner of Telegram, on charges related to supporting criminal activities. They even put restrictions on him, preventing him from leaving the country.
Big News: Telegram Owner Arrested And Charged In France
Word on the street is that France didn’t waste any time and nabbed Pavel Durov as soon as he set foot in the country.
Reports from French media suggest that Durov’s arrival in France via his private jet ended with him being arrested by the French Police on August 28, 2024, based on an arrest warrant issued earlier in March.
An exclusive scoop from Politico reveals that French authorities had their eyes on Telegram for a while now, especially due to the platform’s lack of cooperation in legal matters related to child abuse.
Following the arrest, Durov was slapped with charges of allegedly supporting illegal activities on Telegram, ranging from illicit transactions to child abuse and fraud.
Despite posting a hefty bail of €5 million, Durov must check in with authorities twice a week and stay put in the country.
The news of Durov’s arrest has sparked outrage globally, with many privacy advocates seeing it as a threat to freedom of speech.
Even Russian authorities chimed in, criticizing France for its actions. According to a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, “It seems to me that all this has once again demonstrated the true attitude of the French leadership…”
French President Emmanuel Macron also weighed in on the situation, emphasizing that Durov’s arrest is purely a judicial matter.
As the case unfolds, the impact of Durov’s arrest on Telegram’s operations remains uncertain. Stay tuned for more updates as the story develops.
This arrest isn’t the first of its kind. Remember when Canadian authorities detained Huawei’s CFO in 2018?
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this unfolding saga. Drop your comments below!
