Pavel Durov Arrested in France Amid US Accusations

Pavel Durov, founder of the Telegram messaging platform, was arrested in France on charges including complicity in drug trafficking, child pornography, and fraud. Russian officials, including State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin, have claimed that the United States orchestrated the arrest to gain control over Telegram, which has become a key communication tool in the Ukraine conflict. Durov's former press secretary, Georgy Loboushkin, suggested that the order to detain him likely originated from Washington, not Paris, and questioned why Durov would travel there if he believed he was at risk. Other Russian officials, such as Deputy Chairman Anton Gorelkin, echoed these sentiments, claiming that Durov's arrest is part of a broader U.S. strategy against him. The Kremlin is seeking access to Durov, asserting that French authorities are treating him as a French citizen due to his recent citizenship acquisition. Durov's arrest has raised concerns about the implications for Telegram and its role in global information dissemination.