Pavel Durov, the Russian-born billionaire and founder of the globally popular messaging app Telegram, was arrested on Saturday evening at Le Bourget airport near Paris. The arrest, which took place after Durov's arrival from Azerbaijan, immediately triggered diplomatic tensions between Russia and France and sparked fierce criticism regarding European freedom of speech.

According to information from three anonymous sources, including two French police officers and a Russian source, Durov was arrested in France due to a warrant. The arrest warrant is said to be related to allegations that Telegram, due to insufficient moderation, enables the spread of crimes and does not cooperate adequately with authorities.

Telegram, which is based in Dubai and has nearly a billion users worldwide, defended Durov in an official statement. The company emphasized that it complies with the laws of the European Union, including the Digital Services Act, and that Durov travels regularly to Europe. "It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner can be held responsible for the misuse of this platform," it continued.

The arrest of Durov has caused a stir in Russia. Russian politicians, including Maria Butina, who called Durov a "political prisoner," and former President Dmitry Medvedev expressed sharp criticism. Medvedev accused Durov of underestimating the risks associated with his flight from Russia.

The situation is further exacerbated by the critical reaction of Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter), who responded to the imprisonment with the words: "It is 2030 in Europe and you are executed for liking a meme." This statement underscores the growing concern about restrictions on freedom of speech in Europe.

Durov, who holds French and Emirati citizenship, founded Telegram in 2014 after leaving Russia due to his refusal to shut down opposition groups on his previous platform VKontakte. Since then, Telegram has played a central role in information dissemination, particularly in Russia and Ukraine.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has officially called on France to uphold Durov's rights and sharply criticized the arrest. The French authorities have not yet issued an official statement on the incident.

Durov's arrest could have far-reaching consequences for geopolitical tensions and discussions about freedom of expression in Europe. Despite the controversies, Telegram remains one of the most widely used and influential social media platforms worldwide.