Pavel Durov, CEO and co-founder of Telegram speaks onstage with moderator Mike Butcher.

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Detained; Messaging App Says it Abides by EU Laws

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, 39, was detained at Le Bourget on Saturday, Aug. 24, on suspicion of failing to take steps to prevent criminal use of Telegram, according to Agence France-Presse. According to Bloomberg, initially, his detention was extended by 24 hours late Sunday, Aug. 25.

Aftermath, the messaging app company released a statement through X (Formerly known as Twitter) saying the company abided by European Laws, including the Digital Services Act. The company expressed support to its CEO and believed that Durov had “nothing to hide.”

Pavel Durov, CEO and co-founder of Telegram speaks onstage with moderator Mike Butcher.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Pavel Durov, CEO and co-founder of Telegram speaks onstage with moderator Mike Butcher during day one of TechCrunch Disrupt SF 2015 at Pier 70 on September 21, 2015 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Steve Jennings/Getty Images for TechCrunch)

“It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform,” wrote in a tweet. “We’re awaiting a prompt resolution of this situation.”

According to the company, Telegram CEO lives in Dubai and is a citizen of France and the United Arab Emirates. No confirmation whether he has renounced his Russian citizenship.