According to Reuters, Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov was arrested at the airport in northern Paris, France, on Saturday and is expected to be prosecuted on multiple charges related to the operation of the platform. The TON token fell 16% from US$6.8 to US$5.62 at the time of writing.
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ToggleOfficial confirmation and assurance that the TON community is still strong and fully operational
TON officials also confirmed the news this morning and assured that the TON community is still strong and fully operational.
"As a community committed to free speech and decentralization, we stand firmly behind Pavel during this challenging time. He has been a strong advocate for these values and we believe in his contribution to promoting an open and decentralized internet." The efforts made will continue to inspire millions.
The TON community remains focused on our mission, and we will continue to work hard to uphold these principles globally. We encourage everyone to remain calm, united, and continue to build as we navigate this situation together. Thank you for your continued support. "
Russia is trying to clarify the situation
According to reports , the Russian Embassy in France is taking "immediate measures" to clarify the situation. Russia's representative to international organizations in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyano, and several other Russian politicians were quick to accuse France of authoritarian rule.
In the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Telegram has become a major source of unfiltered (and sometimes graphic and misleading) content from both sides about the war and the politics of the conflict.
Telegram is also the preferred method of communication for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his officials. Even the Kremlin and the Russian government use it to spread news, and it's one of the few sources where Russians can get news about the war.
Pavel Durov holds multiple nationalities. He was born in Russia but currently holds French and Emirati citizenship. As a French national, if he is arrested in France, it may be difficult to be extradited to other countries.
