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France extends detention of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov

Detention limited to 96 hours, after which he must be released or appear before a judge for possible indictment

France extends detention of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov
2024-08-26 11:56:13

ANKARA

France extended the detention of Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of the encrypted messaging app Telegram.

Durov was arrested around 8 p.m. (1800GMT) on Saturday as he alighted from his private jet at Bourget Airport in Paris, according to French media outlets.

The 39-year-old Franco-Russian, who was listed as a wanted person in France, had just arrived from Azerbaijan.

The French judicial authorities decided late Sunday to extend his custody, which is limited to 96 hours, the weekly Le Point reported.

At the end of his detention, Durov must be released or brought before a judge for possible indictment.

After conducting a preliminary investigation, the French National Judicial Police issued his search warrant.

The investigation focused on Telegram's lack of moderation, which police believed enabled criminal activity to continue undeterred on the messaging app.