Pavel Durov, the Russian-born founder and CEO of the popular messaging platform Telegram, was reportedly arrested by French authorities upon his arrival at Le Bourget airport near Paris. The incident, which occurred late Saturday evening, has sparked international attention and raised questions about digital privacy and free speech.

Durov, who holds citizenship in France, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates, was traveling on a private jet from Azerbaijan when he was detained by local law enforcement. While official confirmation from French authorities is still pending, multiple media outlets in both France and Russia have corroborated the arrest.

The detention appears to be linked to an ongoing preliminary investigation into Telegram's operations. French news sources suggest that the inquiry centers on allegations of insufficient content moderation on the platform and a perceived lack of cooperation with law enforcement agencies.

Durov is expected to be charged with complicity in a number of serious crimes: terrorism, drugs, complicity, fraud, money laundering and others. The exact nature of the charges remains unclear. Based on preliminary charges, he could face up to 20 years in prison.

French authorities believe that due to a lack of moderation on the platform and a refusal to cooperate with authorities, Durov allowed “an incalculable number of offenses and crimes” to be committed through Telegram. One of the investigators commented on the situation:

Over the years, it [Telegram] has become the number one platform for organized crime.

This case has prompted swift reactions from various quarters. The Russian government issued the statement urging French authorities to ensure Durov's rights are respected throughout the legal process. Meanwhile, Elon Musk, the owner of social media platform X (formerly Twitter), expressed concern over what he perceives as a threat to free speech in Europe.

Durov's journey to becoming a tech mogul is marked by his principled stance against government overreach. In 2014, he left his native Russia after refusing to comply with demands to shut down opposition groups on VK, the social media platform he had previously founded and later sold. This experience likely informed his approach to user privacy and content moderation on Telegram.

The messaging app Telegram, now headquartered in Dubai, has gained a reputation for its strong encryption and resistance to external interference. However, this very feature has also drawn criticism from some quarters, who argue that it can be misused by bad actors.

As of now, Telegram's management team has not responded to requests for comment on the situation. Similarly, French authorities, including the Interior Ministry, police, and the Paris prosecutor's office, have remained tight-lipped about the case.