Telegram chief govt Pavel Durov has been arrested by French police at an airport north of Paris.
Mr Durov was detained after his personal jet had landed at Le Bourget Airport, French media reported.
Based on officers the 39-year-old billionaire was arrested beneath a warrant for offences associated to the favored messaging app.
The investigation is reportedly a couple of lack of moderators, with Mr Durov accused of failing to take steps to curb legal makes use of of Telegram.
Mr Durov was born in Russia and lives in Dubai. He holds twin citizenship of the United Arab Emirates and France.
Telegram is especially in style in Russia, Ukraine and former Soviet Union states.
The app was banned in Russia in 2018, after a earlier refusal by Mr Durov handy over person information. However the ban was reversed in 2021.
Telegram is ranked as one of many main social media platforms after Fb, YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok and Wechat.
Mr Durov based Telegram in 2013 and he left Russia in 2014 after refusing to adjust to authorities calls for to close down opposition communities on his VKontakte social media platform, which he bought.
Russian overseas ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova posted on Telegram asking whether or not Western human rights NGOs can be silent on Mr Durov’s arrest, after they criticised Russia’s resolution to “create obstacles” to the work of Telegram in Russia in 2018.
A number of Russian officers have condemned the businessman’s arrest.
X proprietor Elon Musk, who has confronted in depth criticism over moderation and materials hosted by his personal social media web site, posted repeatedly concerning the state of affairs. He hashtagged one publish #freepavel, and in one other wrote: “POV: It’s 2030 in Europe and also you’re being executed for liking a meme.”