Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Banned from Leaving France Amid Criminal Probe
Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, has been placed under formal investigation in France, as announced by Paris prosecutors. This development comes as part of a broader criminal probe into organized crime facilitated through the messaging app.
Durov, a Russian-born billionaire who also holds French nationality, is not in custody but is under judicial supervision. He is required to pay a €5 million deposit, report to a French police station twice a week, and is prohibited from leaving France.
The investigation centers on allegations including complicity in administering an online platform for illicit transactions, refusal to cooperate with authorities, and involvement in the organized distribution of illegal content. Despite these serious accusations, being placed under formal investigation does not imply guilt but signifies that there is enough evidence to warrant further inquiry.
Durov was initially detained at Le Bourget airport near Paris last Saturday. His legal representative, David-Olivier Kaminski, defended Telegram’s compliance with European digital regulations and dismissed the accusations against Durov as “absurd.”
This case marks an unprecedented legal action against a social media platform owner due to its usage. The arrest has sparked debate on the balance between freedom of speech and accountability for digital platforms.
Support for Durov has come from notable figures such as Elon Musk, who has criticized the notion of moderation as censorship, and Chris Pavlovski, who fled Europe following Durov’s detention. French President Emmanuel Macron has stated that the detention is not politically motivated, emphasizing France’s commitment to freedom of expression.
Telegram, which has over 950 million registered users, has been criticized for its reluctance to participate in international child protection programs. The platform is widely used in Russia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet states, as well as in Iran.
Durov, who also founded the Russian social media company VKontakte, left Russia in 2014 after resisting government demands to shut down opposition groups. He holds additional passports from St Kitts and Nevis and the United Arab Emirates.