Pavel Durov, the CEO of Telegram, has been arrested in France. These claims sparked pretty significant attention in the social media and the crypto community.
Under arrest, but why?
According to the reports, Durov was apprehended after his plane landed at Bourget Airport, near Paris.
The charges against him are extensive, ranging from terrorism to conspiracy, fraud, and money laundering.
French media outlet TF1, citing unnamed sources, reported that a search warrant had been issued for Durov but would only be executed if he was on French soil.
The news agency also told that Durov seldom traveled within Europe, likely avoiding countries where Telegram is closely monitored by authorities.
Market and community reactions
Following news of the arrest, the price of TON, the Telegram crypto, saw a fast and big decline. At the time of writing, TON had dropped more than 10%, from a high of $6.86 to around $5.3.
The event prompted reactions from various public figures. American commentator Candace Owens expressed concern over the situation, highlighting Durov’s commitment to free speech and suggesting that his arrest is a result of resisting government control.
Fox News host Tucker Carlson, speaking to his large following on X portrayed Durov’s situation as a cautionary tale for tech leaders who refuse to bow to government pressures.
The government isn’t the people’s friend
Durov had a coversation with Carlson on a podcast in April, where he predicted that increasing government surveillance would lead to the creation of secure communication devices, similar to cryptocurrency hardware wallets.
Durov revealed that governments are becoming more power hungry and less tolerant of their citizen’s privacy, a trend he believes will continue.
After the reports of Durov’s arrest began circulating, the TON community issued a statement on X, reassuring users that the community remains strong and fully operational.
Statement from the TON Community
Following the recent news related to the Telegram’s founder Pavel Durov, we want to assure everyone that the TON community remains strong and fully operational.
As a community committed to freedom of speech and decentralization, we stand firmly…
— TON 💎 (@ton_blockchain) August 24, 2024
The statement expressed solidarity with Durov, affirming their commitment to the principles of free speech and decentralization during what they described as a challenging time.
