Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Arrested in France

Due to a complaint about Telegram's lack of moderation and collaboration with law enforcement, the OFIM, a French body that works to prevent violence against minors, issued a warrant for Durov's arrest.

The CEO of Telegram, Pavel Durov, was reportedly detained at Le Bourget Airport pursuant to a warrant issued by OFIM, the French National Police office responsible for preventing violence against minors. This news caused Toncoin (TON) to drop by more than 14.5%.

According to French network TF1, the warrant for Durov's arrest is based on a criminal complaint filed by OFIM, an office of the French national police established in November 2023. OFIM believes that Telegram's lack of moderation in drug trafficking, the distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), and fraud has made Durov complicit.

Elon Musk called for Durov's quick release in a post on X.

According to a law enforcement source cited by TF1, “on his platform, countless crimes and offenses were committed for which he does nothing to moderate or cooperate.”

Another source who talked with TF1 claimed that “it has become the number one platform for organized crime for years.”

According to sources who talked with TF1, he knew he was wanted in France, so they were shocked when he traveled there.

Reuters and the BBC both confirmed the arrest.