(WJET/WFXP) — Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of the popular messaging service Telegram, has been arrested in France.
The French outlet TF1 Info was the first to report the arrest saying that Durov was taken into custody around 8 p.m. Saturday evening at the Le Bourget airport. According to TF1 Info, the 39-year-old billionaire was accompanied by his bodyguard and a woman.
French authorities issued a search warrant for Durov, which was authorized by the OFMIN (Office to Combat Violence Against Minors) of the national directorate of the French judicial police on the basis of a preliminary investigation.
According to TF1: “[The] Justice considers that the lack of moderation, cooperation with law enforcement and the tools offered by Telegram (disposable number, crypto, etc.) makes him an accomplice in drug trafficking, pedocriminal offenses and fraud.”
Durov will face a judge and could face an indictment for a multitude of offenses including terrorism, narcotics, complicity, fraud, money laundering, and receiving stolen goods, among other possible charges.