Who is Telegram founder Pavel Durov – and why was he arrested?

According to French media, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov was arrested at an airport outside Paris on Saturday evening and taken into custody for suspected crimes related to the messaging app.

The 39-year-old Russian-born billionaire was accused of failing to curb the misuse of his platform for criminal activities. France's OFMIN, which is responsible for protecting minors from violence, issued an arrest warrant for Durov on charges of organized crime, drug trafficking, fraud, cyberbullying and promoting terrorism, AFP news agency reported, citing a source.

The messaging app, with around 800 million users, is popular in both Russia and Ukraine.

After Durov's detention became known, the Russian embassy in France said it had “immediately asked the French authorities to clarify the reasons and demanded that they ensure the protection of his rights and provide consular access.” The message posted on Telegram said embassy staff were in contact with Durov's lawyer.

Here's everything you need to know about Durov:

• In an interview with American commentator Tucker Carlson this year, Durov cited his priorities when it comes to freedom – freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and a free market – whether it was his decision to leave VK over a decade ago or his personal life.
• He founded Telegram in 2013 and marketed it as an uncensored and neutral platform accessible to people of all walks of life and views.