Telegram's Pavel Durov arrested outside Paris, social media calls for his release: “It's time we fight back” | Trending

According to Reuters, the focus of the investigation was on Telegram's lack of moderators, which police believe allowed illegal activities to continue on the app.

Shortly after Durov's arrest, many people on social media voiced their opinion against the arrest. Some even called for his release. (Read also: Russian-born Telegram CEO claims he has over '100 biological children' and reveals how)

This is how social media reacted to the news:

With nearly a billion users, the encrypted messaging app Telegram has a huge influence in Russia, Ukraine and the member states of the former Soviet Union. According to Reuters, it is the second most popular social network behind Wechat, Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram and TikTok.

The news portal also said that Telegram has become the main platform for uncensored, often explicit and inaccurate communication from both sides about the war and politics following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The messaging app, which is heavily used by both the Russian government and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his officials, has become what some experts call a “virtual battlefield” for the conflict. (Also read: Telegram to launch 'Stories' feature soon, its founder Durov announces)

After the Kremlin tightened restrictions on alternative media following its invasion of Ukraine, Telegram – whose users can evade official control – has emerged as one of the few places where Russians can get independent news about the war.

The Russian Foreign Ministry called on Western non-governmental organizations to work for Durov's release and said its mission in Paris was to clarify the situation surrounding him.