Pavel Durov, the billionaire co-founder and chief executive of the popular messaging app Telegram, has been arrested at Bourget airport outside Paris, according to TF1 TV. The arrest, made on Saturday evening, was reportedly carried out based on an arrest warrant issued in France.

Durov, 39, was traveling on his private jet when he was apprehended. It is understood that he was en route from Azerbaijan at the time of his arrest. A resident of Dubai, where Telegram is headquartered, Durov holds dual citizenship of France and the United Arab Emirates. The reasons behind the arrest warrant remain undisclosed.

Formerly residing in Russia, Durov left the country in 2014 after refusing to comply with demands to shut down opposition communities on his VK social media platform, which he later sold. Since then, he has built a massive fortune, estimated by Forbes to be around $15.5 billion (£12 billion).

The messaging app Telegram, co-founded by Durov and his brother Nikolai in 2013, boasts approximately 900 million active users. Known for its end-to-end encrypted messaging and the ability to create channels for swift information dissemination, the platform has gained popularity worldwide.

As of now, neither Durov nor the Telegram team has released any comment regarding the arrest. Following the news, the Russian embassy in France has taken immediate steps to clarify the situation. TASS reported that the embassy has not received any appeal from Durov's team but is actively working to address the issue.

The circumstances surrounding Pavel Durov's arrest and the implications for the future of Telegram remain uncertain. It remains to be seen how this development will impact the messaging app and its user base, as well as the ongoing efforts to ensure freedom of speech and digital privacy.