Telegram CEO Durov is set to know fate on Wednesday

Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, is expected to find out on Wednesday whether he will face criminal charges or potentially be detained following his arrest by French authorities over the weekend. Durov, who was taken into custody late Saturday at Le Bourget airport near Paris, faces an ongoing judicial investigation into alleged failures to address extremist content on his messaging platform. This probe, which began on July 8, involves 12 suspected violations.

The initial detention period for Durov, which has been extended multiple times, is limited to a maximum of 96 hours. Durov, 39, who established Telegram while preparing to leave Russia a decade ago, has seen the app’s user base soar to over 900 million.

A private individual who seldom appears in the media, Durov holds citizenship in Russia, France, and the UAE, where Telegram is headquartered. Forbes estimates his wealth at $15.5 billion, though he is known for his ascetic lifestyle, including practices like ice baths and abstention from alcohol and coffee.

There has been speculation about the timing and reasons behind Durov’s arrest, especially given his arrival in Paris despite knowing about the warrant. In response to concerns about the case, French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that the arrest was part of a judicial investigation and not a political move.

In Moscow, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov highlighted the gravity of the charges and called for substantial evidence, cautioning against any attempt to stifle communication freedom or intimidate a major business leader. The UAE has expressed interest in the case and requested consular access for Durov. Meanwhile, tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has shown support for Durov by using the hashtag #FreePavel.