Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov has been arrested by French police at Le Bourget Airport, just north of Paris. Durov, 39, was detained upon arrival on his private jet, with authorities indicating that the arrest was made under a warrant for offences related to the popular messaging app Telegram.

Details about the exact nature of the allegations against Durov remain unclear. However, the Russian embassy in France has reportedly taken “immediate steps” to clarify the situation, according to Russia’s TASS state news agency.

Durov, who founded Telegram in 2013, has become a notable figure in the tech world, particularly in Russia and the broader post-Soviet region. The app has gained widespread popularity, especially in Russia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet states, and is ranked among the major global social media platforms alongside Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, and WeChat.

In 2018, Telegram was banned in Russia after Durov refused to hand over user data to the government. Despite the ban being lifted in 2021, Telegram has continued to be a platform of choice for many in Russia, including opposition groups and activists.

Durov has had a complicated relationship with Russian authorities. In 2014, he left Russia after refusing to comply with government demands to shut down opposition communities on VKontakte, a social media platform he had previously founded and later sold.

As the story develops, more details are expected to emerge regarding the reasons behind Durov’s arrest and the legal actions being pursued against him.