Russian billionaire owner of Telegram app arrested in Paris for crimes committed online [Video]

The billionaire owner of the social media app Telegram was arrested in France yesterday – reportedly over failing to curb crimes on the app, writes Chris Brooke.

Pavel Durov, 39, was held under a warrant at Le Bourget airport outside Paris shortly after landing on a private jet late on Saturday.

He is in custody.

The Russian-born technology mogul, who lives in Dubai, reportedly stands accused of failing to take action to curb drug trafficking, cyber-bullying, fraud, organised crime and terrorism.

There has been no official comment on his arrest.

But the move caused outrage, with supporters of the Telegram chief – including X owner Elon Musk – calling for Mr Durov to be freed and demanding the protection of free speech.

Telegram has 950million users and the company says it is “committed to protecting user privacy and human rights such as freedom of speech and assembly”.

In a recent TV interview, Mr Durov, who fled Russia a …