Pavel Durov, founder and CEO of Telegram, has been placed under formal investigation in France as part of a probe into organized crime involving the messaging app, according to Paris prosecutors.
Durov, 39, a Russian-born billionaire who also holds French citizenship, is not in custody but is under judicial supervision. He has been required to pay a €5 million deposit, report to a French police station twice a week, and is prohibited from leaving France.
The investigation stems from his detention at Le Bourget airport north of Paris last Saturday, where he was apprehended under a warrant related to his app. The Paris prosecutors outlined the charges against Durov, which include:
- Complicity in managing an online platform facilitating illicit transactions by organized crime groups
- Failure to cooperate with authorities
- Complicity in the distribution of child sexual images by organized criminals
Being placed under formal investigation in France does not imply guilt or guarantee a trial but indicates that there is sufficient basis to continue the investigation.
Durov has yet to publicly comment on the situation. His lawyer, David-Olivier Kaminski, defended Telegram’s compliance with European digital regulations and stated it adheres to the same moderation standards as other social networks. Kaminski dismissed the notion that Durov could be involved in criminal activities as “absurd.”
This case is unprecedented as it involves the arrest of a social media platform owner due to the misuse of the platform. It has sparked a heated debate on freedom of speech and the accountability of tech companies. While tech executives have faced intense scrutiny from lawmakers, it is rare for them to be confronted by law enforcement in such a manner.
Elon Musk, owner of X, has defended Durov, criticizing the concept of moderation as a guise for censorship and calling for Durov’s release. Chris Pavlovski, founder of Rumble, said he fled Europe following Durov’s detention.
Despite Telegram’s claim that its moderation tools meet industry standards, it faces accusations of neglecting cooperation with international bodies on serious crimes such as child abuse. The company, now headquartered in Dubai, insists its moderation practices align with industry norms.
French President Emmanuel Macron has stated that the case is not politically motivated, emphasizing France’s commitment to free expression. Telegram’s large user groups and optional encryption have also drawn attention, with concerns raised about the security of the platform.
The Kremlin has criticized the investigation as potentially politically motivated and warned against what it perceives as intimidation. Russian lawmaker Leonid Slutsky described the charges as “wild,” accusing the West of democratic dictatorship.
Founded in 2013, Telegram is a major social media platform popular in Russia, Ukraine, and former Soviet states, as well as Iran. Durov, who left Russia in 2014 after resisting government demands, also holds passports from St. Kitts and Nevis and the United Arab Emirates.