Telegram Founder Arrest Sparks Global Controversy

Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, was arrested in Paris, triggering backlash from Moscow and criticism from Elon Musk. Accused of allowing crimes on Telegram, Durov's arrest has sparked international debate on free speech. French authorities have not confirmed the details, but investigations are ongoing.

Pavel Durov, the Russian-born billionaire behind the Telegram messaging app, was arrested at Le Bourget airport near Paris on Saturday. Three sources confirmed the sudden detention, prompted by an outstanding arrest warrant in France.

The arrest led to a stern warning from Moscow about Durov's rights and criticism from X owner Elon Musk, who viewed the action as a threat to free speech in Europe. Despite the lack of official confirmation, multiple police sources corroborated the arrest, stemming from allegations of insufficient moderation on Telegram.

Investigations are being led by specialized French authorities, focusing on organized crime. Durov's significant influence in Russia and beyond, coupled with his app's unfiltered war content, has escalated the situation to international relevance. Arrest or not, Telegram's stance on user privacy and free speech remains steadfast, despite ongoing scrutiny from various governments.

(With inputs from agencies.)