Arrest of Pavel Durov in France: what is known and what are the implications for Telegram and TON
Pavel Durov has been detained at a Paris airport on a warrant related to the investigation of Telegram's activities. The reactions and statements from prominent individuals.
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On August 24, 2024, Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of the Telegram messenger, was arrested in France, according to reports from TF1/LCI.
The arrest took place at Le Bourget Airport near Paris when Durov arrived on his private jet from Azerbaijan.
According to French media, the arrest was made based on a warrant issued in connection with an investigation related to Telegram's activities.
This is specifically related to allegations of insufficient content moderation on the platform, which authorities believe has facilitated criminal activity.
Telegram has not yet released an official statement regarding this arrest. Durov, who resides in Dubai and holds dual citizenship of France and the UAE, is likely to appear in court soon.
Russian media reported that the Russian State Duma sent a letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urging assistance in the return of Pavel Durov from France.
Deputy Speaker of the State Duma, Vladislav Davankov, appealed to Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, requesting efforts to secure Durov's release in France.
He suggested that if this request is denied, efforts should be made to relocate him to the UAE or Russia, considering that the detention may have a political motive and could be aimed at obtaining access to Telegram users' data.
If Durov is arrested and imprisoned, an exchange is being considered as a possible option.
At the same time, Russian authorities are concerned that Western intelligence agencies may gain access to the personal information of Russian Telegram users.
However, French media noted that since Durov is a French citizen, he cannot be extradited or exchanged.
Elon Musk commented on Pavel Durov's arrest, sarcastically stating: "Imagine being executed in Europe in 2030 for liking a meme."
Additionally, former U.S. presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy expressed his opinion, writing: "Today it's Telegram, tomorrow it could be X," hinting at potential risks for other platforms.
Meanwhile, the TON cryptocurrency price has already dropped nearly 20% following the news of the arrest. 
Photo: Screenshot from CoinGecko
Media reports indicate that Telegram has a pre-developed action plan in case of Pavel Durov's arrest. The details of this plan are still unknown, but it is noted that the company will be able to continue its operations and fulfill its core functions despite potential challenges.