Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, temporarily left the country with court permission. We discuss the reasons for his detention and the global community's reaction.
Circumstances of Detention
Pavel Durov was detained at Le Bourget airport on August 24, 2024. He is accused of complicity in the distribution of drugs and child pornography, as well as refusing to provide information requested by authorities. At the time, Durov held citizenships of Russia, France, the UAE, and St. Kitts and Nevis. He faces up to 20 years in prison.
Global Leaders' Reaction
Several prominent figures expressed their opinions on Durov's detention. Elon Musk called it a 'compelling advertisement' for the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech. Vitalik Buterin expressed concern about the future of software freedom in Europe. Journalist Tucker Carlson described the detention as a 'living warning' for platform owners.
Market Impact
Amid the news, Toncoin (TON) quotes fell below the $6 mark, losing 13.2% in 24 hours, according to CoinGecko. It should be recalled that Durov entered the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, ranking 279th with a fortune of $9.15 billion. In April, he stated he personally owns Telegram and keeps part of his savings in bitcoins.
Pavel Durov's case continues to raise questions and active discussions, not only due to the charges but also because of potential consequences for freedom of speech and financial markets.
