Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Detained at French Airport: Russian Embassy Intervenes

In a surprising turn of events, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov was detained by French authorities upon his arrival at a Paris airport. The incident occurred on Saturday evening at Le Bourget Airport, located just north of the French capital, as Durov disembarked from his private jet.

Pavel Durov, the 39-year-old founder and CEO of Telegram, a messaging platform that has gained massive popularity across the globe, particularly in Russia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet Union countries, is currently facing legal troubles. French authorities reportedly arrested Durov based on a felony warrant related to activities associated with the app.

The Russian news outlet Tass has reported that the Russian embassy in France is actively involved in addressing the situation. The embassy has stated that it is taking "immediate action" to understand the circumstances surrounding Durov's arrest and is in close communication with French officials.

Telegram has a complicated history with the Russian government. Durov left Russia in 2014 after resisting demands from the Russian authorities to hand over the app's database, leading to his departure from the country. Since then, Telegram's operations have been based out of Dubai. In 2018, the Russian government officially banned Telegram, only to lift the ban three years later in 2021.

Telegram, founded in 2013, has grown to become one of the world's most popular social media platforms, with a user base that is expected to reach 1 billion by 2025. It ranks alongside global giants like Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, and WeChat in terms of popularity.

As this story develops, BengaliVogue.com will continue to provide updates on the situation.