Telegram Challenges French Detention of CEO Amid Widespread Tech Industry Support
Pavel Durov, CEO of social media platform Telegram, was detained over the weekend at a Paris airport, leading to significant controversy. Telegram has openly questioned the legitimacy of the French authorities’ actions.
According to AFP, the 39-year-old co-founder was detained on Saturday at Le Bourget airport. The official reason given was a failure to prevent criminal activities on Telegram. A judicial official confirmed that Durov’s detention, initially scheduled to end on Sunday evening, was extended by 24 hours.
Telegram, headquartered in Dubai, issued a statement on its platform and on X (formerly Twitter), asserting that the company complies with European laws, including the Digital Services Act, and that Durov has nothing to hide. The statement criticized the notion of holding a platform or its owner accountable for misuse by users, calling it “absurd” and expressing hope for a swift resolution.
Durov, who resides in Dubai and holds French and UAE citizenship, has not commented on whether he has renounced his Russian citizenship. The Russian embassy in Paris has demanded an explanation from French authorities and is ensuring Durov’s rights are protected, offering consular support as needed.
The arrest warrant reportedly came from Ofmin, a French agency combating violence against minors, which also investigates fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organized crime, and terrorism. This development has sent shockwaves through the tech and cryptocurrency communities.
The detention had immediate repercussions in the market. Toncoin, a digital token associated with The Open Network (TON), which is closely linked to Telegram, saw its value plummet by over 20%, wiping out approximately $2.7 billion in market capitalization. By Monday morning, Toncoin had recovered some ground but remained down 16% since the incident.
TON’s blockchain project, through its partnership with Telegram, has access to the platform’s 900 million monthly active users and aims to offer services like in-app payments and gaming. However, concerns are rising about the regulatory future of TON, especially after the U.S. crackdown on DeFi protocols like Tornado Cash.
The tech community has rallied around Durov, with figures like Elon Musk and Tucker Carlson voicing their support. Franklin Bi from Pantera Capital initiated a “FreePavel” campaign, and Musk shared a video with the hashtag #FreePavel, amplifying the call for Durov’s release.
Notable figures in the crypto world, such as Meow, founder of Solana’s DeFi project Jupiter, have criticized the detention as a demonstration of power that chills freedom. He emphasized the importance of decentralization not just for digital currencies but as a means to balance global power structures.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin also weighed in on X, stating that while he had previously criticized Telegram’s approach to crypto, arresting its founder is “deeply troubling” and poses a threat to the future of software and communication freedom in Europe.
Yat Siu, co-founder of Animoca Brands, echoed these sentiments, asserting the need to support the TON community in their fight for freedom. He highlighted decentralization as a key tool in resisting censorship and protecting individual rights.
