Telegram founder Pavel Durov arrested in France, TON price drops 16%

Pavel Durov, the 39-year-old founder and CEO of encrypted messaging app Telegram, was arrested at Le Bourget airport in France around 8 p.m. on Saturday. Durov, a French-Russian national, was arrested by the Air Transport Gendarmerie (GTA) as he disembarked from his private jet. He was accompanied by a bodyguard and a woman.

Durov's arrest was triggered by a French search warrant issued by the Office of the French National Criminal Investigation Department (OFMIN) based on a preliminary investigation. The warrant was only valid on French territory, so the arrest was possible because Durov landed in France from Azerbaijan.

Legal problems: Why Durov was wanted

According to French authorities, Durov was placed on the wanted persons file (FPR) due to serious allegations against Telegram. The platform's features, including lack of content moderation, use of disposable numbers and cryptocurrencies, are said to have facilitated illegal activities such as drug trafficking, child abuse and fraud.

French investigators claim that Durov's refusal to cooperate with law enforcement and his refusal to moderate illegal content on Telegram made him an accomplice to these crimes. Sources close to the investigation said Durov avoided countries where Telegram was monitored, preferring to travel to regions such as the Emirates, former USSR countries and South America.

Possible charges and legal consequences

Following his arrest, Durov was taken into custody by investigators from the National Office for Combating Fraud (ONAF) and is scheduled to appear before an investigating judge. He faces numerous charges, including terrorism, drug trafficking, complicity, fraud, money laundering and involvement in child abuse content.

French authorities believe that Durov's pre-trial detention is almost certain, given his considerable financial resources and the risk of his escape. One investigator commented:

“On his platform he has allowed countless crimes and crimes to take place, in which he neither moderates nor participates.”

Impact on the TON price

The arrest of Pavel Durov has sent shockwaves through the crypto community and led to a significant drop in the price of TON, Telegram's native cryptocurrency. Within an hour of the news breaking, the price of TON plummeted by 16%, reflecting investor concerns about the future of Telegram and its associated projects.

The uncertainty surrounding Durov's legal battle and the potential crackdown on Telegram have raised concerns about increased regulation and instability.

A global signal: France's stance on digital privacy and crime

Durov's arrest is a sign of France's strong stance on digital privacy and its crackdown on platforms perceived to facilitate criminal activity. The case has international implications as it highlights the tension between freedom of expression and the need to combat illegal online activity.

This crackdown is likely to resonate around the world, pushing other countries to enforce stricter regulations on encrypted messaging apps like Telegram. The developing legal battle will be closely watched, not only for its impact on Durov and Telegram, but also for its broader implications for digital privacy and security worldwide.

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