Pavel Durov, co-founder of Telegram, gave his first interview since his arrest in Paris last year.

On August 24, 2024, Durov was arrested at Le Bourget Airport in Paris on various charges, but the real reason was never made clear.

Durov essentially says the charges were pretty much made up because he can't be held responsible for stuff that happens on Telegram, by contrast, French authorities are basically saying he's complicity because he allows illegal things on Telegram.

Durov gave his first interview (to Tucker Carlson) and he said he 16 charges levied against him.

"It was very disconcerting for me to be detained in Paris and to learn that Telegram had made a mistake or had not processed certain requests," Duro v said.

"To be honest, I'm still looking for answers. I'm puzzled", he continued.

In essence, according to Durov, French authorities told him he and Telegram hadn't responded to legal requests made by the French government, and he was therefore complicit.

"First, it is false to say that we did not respond to legally binding legal requests, and second, this is a very broad interpretation of complicity, even for the French legal and judicial system", he concluded.