Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, was recently arrested in France upon disembarking from his private jet. French authorities detained him for allegedly refusing to alter the Telegram app in response to accusations of supporting terrorist activities, drug trafficking, and other serious allegations. Durov is now facing up to 20 years in prison.
In the wake of the arrest, the value of TON coin, which powers The Open Network (TON) blockchain, has dropped by 15%. Telegram has been a staple in the crypto community for over a decade, with many in the industry relying on it for various crypto-related communications. The news of Durov’s arrest has sparked concerns about his future, including the possibility of extradition to the U.S.
Durov’s refusal to modify Telegram was aimed at protecting users from oppressive regimes, rather than assisting terrorists. Some express skepticism about the charges, questioning how failing to amend a product could lead to such severe allegations. Many hope Durov’s legal team will effectively defend him and that he will soon be released unharmed.