Telegram boss Durov charged, banned from leaving France

On Wednesday, France formally charged Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of the messaging app Telegram, with multiple violations tied to the platform. Durov, 39, was accused of failing to control extremist and illegal content on Telegram and was banned from leaving France following his release after four days in custody.

Durov, who was arrested on Saturday at Le Bourget airport near Paris, faced questioning by investigators before being conditionally released on a bail of five million euros. As part of his release, he must report to a police station twice a week and remain within French borders, according to Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau.

The charges against Durov include complicity in enabling illegal transactions through an organized online platform, as well as refusal to provide documents requested by authorities. Additionally, Durov faces accusations related to the distribution of child pornography, drug trafficking, fraud, and money laundering.

David-Olivier Kaminski, Durov's lawyer, dismissed the charges as "absurd," emphasizing that Telegram complies with all European digital regulations. He argued that it was unreasonable to hold Durov responsible for crimes committed on the app.

Durov is also under investigation for allegedly committing "serious acts of violence" against one of his children during a visit to Paris with the child's mother, who filed a separate complaint against him in Switzerland last year.

Pavel Durov, who founded Telegram after leaving Russia a decade ago, has seen the app grow to over 900 million users. Despite his low public profile, Durov has attracted both support and criticism. Supporters view him as a champion of free speech, while critics argue that he has allowed Telegram to become a hub for illegal activities.

The timing of Durov's arrest has raised eyebrows, with some questioning its political motivations. Reports suggest that Durov met with French President Emmanuel Macron on several occasions before being granted French citizenship in 2021. However, Macron has denied any political influence in the arrest, stating that the decision rests solely with the judiciary.

In Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted the seriousness of the charges against Durov and emphasized the need for substantial evidence. Meanwhile, tech mogul Elon Musk expressed support for Durov by posting under the hashtag #FreePavel .

The charges against Durov follow an ongoing investigation by French authorities, who have criticized Telegram for its "near total absence of a response" to their requests. The investigation, which began in February 2024, reflects growing concerns about the platform's role in facilitating illegal activities.