⚡️ Arrest of Pavel Durov. What is known //

French air gendarmerie officers detained Pavel Durov this evening at Le Bourget airport, TF1 writes.

How did the arrest take place?

- The head of Telegram was traveling to France from Azerbaijan. The reason for the arrest was a search warrant issued by the judicial police.

- The warrant based on the preliminary investigation was presented by the French OFMIN, that is, the National Directorate of the French Judicial Police.

- After the arrest, French security forces placed Durov in custody pending a court hearing, which is scheduled to take place today. The charges will be officially presented on Saturday.

- The arrest was handled by the ONAF, that is, the National Office for Combating Fraud at the Customs Department.

What is Durov accused of?

The head of Telegram is to be charged under several articles, including particularly complex ones. The main version of the arrest is that Pavel Durov is accused of unwillingness to cooperate with local authorities.

French media claim that they want to make Durov an accomplice to such crimes as terrorism, drug trafficking, fraud, money laundering, pedophile content, handling stolen goods, etc.

Sources of the French media claim that Durov allowed Telegram to commit "an innumerable number of offenses and crimes." This is what will not allow him to agree to a mitigated sentence.

What punishment does Durov face?

Pavel Durov is officially a French citizen. Based on preliminary charges, he could face up to 20 years in prison.

The media also claim that the head of Telegram allegedly knew that he was persona non grata in France and, as a rule, specifically avoided the country where security forces monitor the messenger during his travels.