'Nothing to hide': Telegram's billionaire CEO Pavel Durov arrested in France

French authorities arrested Telegram's CEO Pavel Durov on August 25. Reports stated that French authorities extended the detention of Durov beyond Sunday night. The 39-year-old Franco-Russian billionaire was arrested at a Paris airport over allegations that his messaging app facilitates criminality including money laundering and drug trafficking.

Durov can be held for questioning for up to 96 hours, after which he must be charged or released from custody, an Al Jazeera report added. Durov had been travelling on his private jet from Azerbaijan.

France’s OFMIN agency which is tasked with combating violence against minors, is investigating the Russian-born Durov in a probe into alleged offences including fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organised crime and promotion of terrorism, according to the AFP, which quoted officials speaking on condition of anonymity.

In a statement on Sunday evening, Telegram said: “Telegram abides by EU laws, including the Digital Services Act – its moderation is within industry standards and constantly improving."

It added, “Telegram’s CEO Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe. It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform. We’re awaiting a prompt resolution of this situation.”