The Telegram CEO expressed surprise at being detained in Paris.
Pavel Durov, CEO of Telegram, told journalist Tucker Carlson that he has never been arrested in Russia.
Durov was previously detained by French police last year on suspicion of cybercrimes.
In an interview released on Monday, Carlson noted Durov, who was born in Russia, left the country a decade ago for political reasons. He asked if Durov had ever been arrested in Russia, and Durov said no.
Durov was arrested in August 2024 at Paris–Le Bourget Airport, accused of 12 offenses related to Telegram’s handling of illegal content, including child exploitation material and drug trafficking. He was prevented from leaving France for seven months but was released in March after posting €5 million ($5.4 million) bail.
When asked about the irony of being arrested in France, which is considered part of the “free West,” Durov said Paris was “the most unexpected place to get arrested” for him.
Durov mentioned that he had visited several countries before France, some of which “are considered in the West to be autocratic or authoritarian.” He added that Telegram is popular in many of these countries because it offers “100% privacy.”
Carlson suggested a contrast in public reaction if someone like Mark Zuckerberg or Elon Musk had been arrested, saying the reaction would be much stronger. He implied Durov’s Russian background may have influenced the reaction to his arrest.
“I hope it had nothing to do with my ethnicity,” Durov replied. “Because that would be very alarming.”
Durov has denied the French charges, calling them absurd. His arrest drew sympathy globally, alongside accusations that France was infringing on free speech.
In late May, Durov alleged that the French government wanted Telegram to block conservative voices in Romania before the presidential runoff, which he refused. French officials have denied this claim.