Pavel Durov, the billionaire co-founder and CEO of the Telegram messaging app, was arrested at Bourget Airport near Paris on Saturday evening, according to TF1 TV. The arrest occurred around 8 p.m. local time (6 p.m. GMT) while Durov was traveling aboard his private jet from Azerbaijan.
The 39-year-old entrepreneur, who holds dual citizenship in France and the United Arab Emirates, was reportedly targeted by an arrest warrant issued in France. Durov was expected to appear in court on Sunday.
Durov, whose net worth is estimated by Forbes at $15.5 billion, is a Russian-born businessman who relocated to Dubai in 2014 after he resisted demands from Russian authorities to shut down opposition communities on his VK social media platform, which he subsequently sold. Telegram, the messaging platform he co-founded with his brother Nikolai in 2013, has become one of the most widely used apps globally, boasting about 900 million active users.
Telegram is renowned for its end-to-end encrypted messaging and “channels” feature, which allows users to broadcast information to large audiences quickly. The Russian embassy in France has stated that it is taking “immediate steps” to clarify the situation surrounding Durov’s arrest. TASS reported that while there has been no formal appeal from Durov’s team to the embassy, proactive measures are being undertaken. Telegram has not yet commented on the arrest, and further details are expected to emerge as the situation develops.
In other news – Nigerian actress Sharon Okpamen passes away Just three weeks after childbirth
Nigerian actress Sharon Okpamen has tragically passed away at the age of 35, just three weeks after giving birth to her second child. Her untimely death has left fans and the entertainment industry in mourning. Sharon welcomed her baby in July, sharing her joy with fans on Facebook: “THANK YOU LORD 🙏🙏🙏🙏 MY OSARHUESE IS HERE!!!!”
However, her happiness was short-lived as she developed complications following the delivery. According to Daily Post Nigeria, Sharon slipped into a coma from which she did not recover, passing away over the weekend. Read More
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