Telegram Chief Pavel Durov Charged, Banned from Leaving France Amid Legal Probe

Photo : Bloomberg

France has taken significant legal action against Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, charging him with multiple violations related to the popular messaging app. Durov, 39, was arrested at Le Bourget airport near Paris last Saturday and has since faced a series of accusations ranging from failing to control extremist content on his platform to involvement in illegal activities such as child pornography, drug trafficking, fraud, and money laundering.

After four days in custody, Durov was granted conditional release on Wednesday, with a bail set at five million euros. As part of his release conditions, he must report to a police station twice a week and is prohibited from leaving France. These measures, according to Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau, are intended to ensure that Durov remains in the country while the legal proceedings continue.

The charges against Durov are serious and complex, involving allegations that Telegram, under his leadership, facilitated illegal activities through its platform. Specifically, the charges include "complicity in the administration of an online platform to enable an illicit transaction" and the dissemination of child pornography in an organized group. Additionally, Durov is accused of refusing to provide documents requested by authorities, further complicating his legal situation.

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Durov's lawyer, David-Olivier Kaminski, has strongly refuted the allegations, calling them "absurd" and insisting that Telegram fully complies with European digital regulations. Kaminski argues that it is unreasonable to hold Durov personally responsible for crimes committed by users of the app.

In a related development, Durov is also under investigation for allegedly committing "serious acts of violence" against one of his children while in Paris with his former partner, the child's mother. This investigation adds another layer to the already complex legal challenges he faces.

Pavel Durov, a Russian-born entrepreneur who holds citizenship in Russia, France, and the United Arab Emirates, founded Telegram a decade ago after leaving Russia during a dispute over his first major project, the Russian social network VKontakte. Since then, Telegram has grown exponentially, now boasting over 900 million users worldwide. Despite his immense success, Durov remains an enigmatic figure, known for his ascetic lifestyle, which includes practices like ice baths and abstaining from alcohol and coffee.

The timing and nature of Durov's arrest have raised questions and sparked debates. Supporters view him as a champion of free speech, while critics argue that he has allowed Telegram to become a platform for illegal activities. French authorities, for their part, have emphasized that Durov's arrest is not politically motivated. In a statement on X, President Emmanuel Macron denied any political involvement in the decision, stressing that it is a matter for the judiciary to resolve.

Durov's connections to France are noteworthy. He was granted French citizenship in 2021 through a special procedure for individuals who have made significant contributions to the country. Reports indicate that Durov had met with President Macron on several occasions, including a 2018 lunch where Macron reportedly suggested that Telegram should be headquartered in Paris, an idea Durov declined.

Further complicating the situation, both Pavel Durov and his brother Nikolai, who is credited as the mathematical genius behind Telegram, have reportedly been wanted by French authorities since March 2023. This has added to the scrutiny surrounding Telegram's operations and its compliance with legal standards.

The case against Durov also touches on broader concerns about Telegram's role in the digital landscape. The app has positioned itself as a "neutral" alternative to US-based platforms, often criticized for exploiting users' personal data. However, Telegram has also been criticized for its lack of cooperation with legal authorities. The Paris prosecutor highlighted that French judicial authorities had been frustrated by Telegram's "near total absence of a response" to their requests, leading to the opening of an investigation in February 2024.

The unfolding legal drama surrounding Pavel Durov will likely have significant implications for Telegram and its future operations, both in France and globally. As the case progresses, it will continue to attract attention from both supporters and detractors of the tech mogul, with the outcome potentially influencing the broader debate over the responsibilities of digital platforms in curbing illegal activities.