WORLD

TELEGRAM FOUNDER ARRESTED IN FRANCE

25/08/2024 11:04 AM

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 25 (Bernama) --  Pavel Durov, the founder of the Telegram messaging app, was arrested in France on Saturday evening, according to the German news agency (dpa), citing local French reports.

The Russian billionaire reportedly arrived in the country via Le Bourget Airport near Paris from Azerbaijan before being arrested, according to the reports.

Durov, who is wanted in France, was taken into police custody, broadcasters French commercial television network (TF1) and French news broadcast television and radio network BFMTV reported, citing investigators.

According to the broadcasters, Durov had been arrested under a warrant for offences related to the popular messaging app.

TF1 reported that a preliminary investigation could be initiated against Durov as early as Sunday.

Durov, who also founded the Russian social media platform VKontakte, created Telegram alongside his brother Nikolai.

Telegram is one of Russia's most important online networks and is used by many authorities and politicians to communicate.

-- BERNAMA

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