Telegram’s Durov still in French police custody, reports franceinfo by Reuters

PARIS (Reuters) – Russian-born billionaire and Telegram owner Pavel Durov was still being held for questioning by French police on Monday, local news channel Franceinfo reported, after he was arrested and detained over the weekend.

“Police custody continues on Monday and may last up to four days,” the report said.

The Paris prosecutor’s office did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. French authorities have not yet confirmed Durov’s arrest.

A police source told Reuters that Durov was arrested at an airport by private jet near Paris over the weekend as he was the subject of an arrest warrant. A cyber security police unit and the national anti-fraud police unit are leading the investigation, the source said.

“Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently to Europe,” Telegram said in a statement on Sunday, adding: “It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner is responsible for the abuse of that platform “.