Breaking News: Telegram founder Pavel Durov, the creator of one of the world’s most popular messaging apps, is facing a formal investigation in France. He has been placed under judicial supervision with a bail set at $5.56 million (5 million euros) and cannot leave the country, as confirmed by a French prosecutor. This development follows his recent arrest at a Paris airport.
Durov, who was born in Russia, is under investigation for multiple serious offenses, including alleged involvement in illegal activities on the Telegram platform. These suspected offenses involve “complicity in illegal gang transactions,” “money laundering in an organized gang,” and his refusal to provide necessary information to the authorities. Despite these investigations, he has not been formally charged, and the probe does not necessarily mean he is guilty.
The French authorities also reported that Telegram has not adequately responded to court requests regarding crimes such as trafficking, online hate speech, and the spread of child exploitation material. Additionally, Durov is suspected of allowing illegal transactions and activities to occur on the platform, which could lead to severe penalties, including a maximum of 10 years in prison.
After his release from police custody, Durov was questioned by the court. His arrest has sparked debates about freedom of speech, especially in countries like Ukraine and Russia, where Telegram is a critical communication tool amid ongoing conflicts. Russia has expressed its displeasure over Durov’s detention, with officials accusing France of undermining international norms of freedom of speech and expression.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the investigation into Durov’s activities is “in no way political,” marking a rare intervention in judicial matters. Meanwhile, Telegram, founded in 2013 by Pavel Durov and his brother Nikolai, remains under scrutiny due to concerns about its content moderation policies and its use by extremists and criminal groups.
Durov, often referred to as the “Mark Zuckerberg of Russia,” left his home country in 2014 and currently resides in Dubai while holding French citizenship. Known for his lavish lifestyle, he has built Telegram into a platform with over 950 million users worldwide, promoting encrypted and private communication.
While Telegram is celebrated for protecting free speech and privacy, it also faces criticism for being used to coordinate illegal activities. As the investigation continues, the future of Telegram and its policies remains uncertain.
