Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Arrested in France Amid Fraud Investigation

Pavel Durov, Russia-born billionaire and owner of Telegram, was detained by French police over the weekend and is being questioned in an ongoing investigation. French authorities have not confirmed the arrest, which was initiated by an arrest warrant related to cybersecurity and anti-fraud allegations.

Pavel Durov, the Russian billionaire and founder of Telegram, remains in police custody in France as questioning continues into the new week, according to local news sources. Durov was detained over the weekend.

The Paris public prosecution office has yet to comment on the detention, and French authorities have not confirmed the arrest. A police source revealed that Durov was detained near a private jet airport outside Paris due to an outstanding arrest warrant. The investigation is led by a cybersecurity gendarmerie unit and a national anti-fraud police unit.

Telegram stated on Sunday that their CEO has 'nothing to hide' and emphasized that claiming a platform or its owner is responsible for misuse is absurd.

(With inputs from agencies.)