Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, has been released from police custody in France after being detained at Le Bourget airport near Paris under a warrant related to alleged criminal activities on Telegram.
French prosecutors confirmed that Durov, who holds both Russian and French citizenship, is under judicial supervision and required to pay a €5 million deposit, report to a French police station twice weekly, and is prohibited from leaving the country.
Durov faces accusations of complicity in enabling illicit transactions by organized crime gangs and refusal to cooperate with authorities, including failing to share crucial information with investigators and involvement in distributing child sexual abuse material. The Paris prosecutor’s office stated that an investigating judge has ordered Durov to appear in court for a possible indictment.
Telegram, which has been implicated in multiple criminal cases in France, faces scrutiny from authorities for its alleged lack of cooperation in cases related to child sexual abuse, drug trafficking, and online hate crimes. French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that Durov’s arrest is part of an independent investigation and not a political move. Telegram responded by asserting its compliance with EU laws and industry standards, arguing that it is unreasonable to hold the platform or its owner responsible for abuses by users.
Durov’s case has stirred international controversy, with reactions ranging from Russia’s criticism of Western double standards on freedom of speech to Iran viewing the arrest as a strict stance against internet governance violations by France. If convicted, Durov could face up to 10 years in prison.
