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Pavel Durov, the CEO of the social media platform Telegram, has been arrested.
Media reports over the weekend revealed that Durov was apprehended by police in France and placed under detention.
Durov was arrested at Paris airport on allegations that his messaging app facilitates crimes, including money laundering and drug trafficking.
Al Jazeera reported that the judge investigating the case ordered that Durov, 39, be detained until Sunday night. The news agency AFP, citing an unnamed source close to the investigation, confirmed this.
Durov can be held for questioning for up to 96 hours, after which he must either be charged or released.
Internal sources indicated that Durov was traveling on his private jet from Azerbaijan and that the French arrest warrant targeted him as part of an ongoing preliminary investigation.
The OFMIN in France, a body responsible for combating child abuse, is investigating Durov, a Russian native, in a probe related to alleged crimes including fraud, drug trafficking, online harassment, organized crime, and promoting terrorism, according to AFP, which cited officials speaking on condition of anonymity.
The Franco-Russian billionaire is accused of failing to prevent the use of his platform for criminal activities.
Telegram stated that Durov "has nothing to hide" and frequently travels in Europe.
"Telegram complies with EU laws, including the Digital Services Act—its regulation is within industry standards," the platform said in a statement.
"It’s absurd to claim that the platform or its owner is responsible for the misuse of the platform."
The Russian embassy in France has demanded diplomatic access to Durov and called for his rights to be ensured, according to Russian state news agency TASS.
The embassy stated that France has so far "avoided engagement" regarding Durov’s situation. Russian diplomats are in contact with Durov’s lawyer, the embassy said.
Telegram, which has nearly 1 billion users, was created by Durov and his brother in 2013 in Russia.
Durov fled Russia in 2014, seeking a new base for his company, exploring cities like Berlin, Singapore, and San Francisco, before settling in Dubai.
