Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Under Investigation in France Amid Criminal Probe
Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, has been placed under formal investigation in France as part of a criminal probe into organized crime activities linked to the messaging platform, according to Paris prosecutors. The 39-year-old Russian-born billionaire, who also holds French citizenship, is accused of complicity in facilitating illicit transactions, refusing to cooperate with authorities, and involvement in the distribution of illegal content, including sexual images of children.
Durov, who was initially detained upon arriving at Le Bourget airport near Paris last Saturday, has not been remanded in custody but is under strict judicial supervision. As part of the conditions, he must report to a French police station twice a week, pay a €5 million deposit, and is prohibited from leaving France.
The investigation, which led to Durov’s detainment, marks a rare instance where a social media executive faces legal action for activities associated with their platform. Telegram, known for its large group capacities and encrypted messaging, has faced criticism for allegedly failing to adequately monitor and moderate illegal activities, despite the company’s claims that it adheres to industry standards.
In a statement, Durov’s lawyer, David-Olivier Kaminski, dismissed the allegations, asserting that Telegram complies fully with European digital regulations and that it is “absurd” to implicate Durov in criminal activities. The charges have sparked a heated debate online, particularly regarding freedom of speech and the responsibility of social media platforms.
Prominent figures like Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter), have publicly defended Durov, with Musk arguing that moderation is often a guise for censorship and calling for Durov’s release. Similarly, Chris Pavlovski, the founder of the video-sharing platform Rumble, announced that he fled Europe in response to Durov’s detainment.
The Kremlin has also weighed in on the situation, warning France against turning the case into a “political persecution.” Russian officials have expressed concern that the charges against Durov could be perceived as an act of intimidation, while Russian lawmaker Leonid Slutsky described the accusations as “wild,” suggesting that Durov is a victim of Western “dictatorship of democracy.”
Despite the controversy, French President Emmanuel Macron has maintained that Durov’s detainment is not politically motivated, emphasizing France’s commitment to freedom of expression.
Telegram, founded in 2013, is a major social media platform with over 950 million registered users globally, particularly popular in Russia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet states. The investigation into Durov raises questions about the future of the platform’s security and its ability to maintain user trust.
