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Telegram CEO Prevented from Leaving France Amid Serious Charges
Pavel Durov, the CEO of Telegram, is currently prohibited from leaving France after facing charges related to his alleged involvement in an online platform that allowed the distribution of sexual images of children. This situation casts a shadow over Telegram, which has become one of the largest social media networks globally.
Durov was apprehended on Saturday at 8 PM local time after his private jet landed at an airport near Paris. Following his arrest, he spent four days in detention as authorities investigated possible criminal activities linked to Telegram. By Wednesday evening, he had been formally indicted and was barred from exiting the country, according to the Paris Prosecutor’s statement. Durov was released under judicial supervision, with conditions including a €5 million (approximately $5.5 million) bail and mandatory reporting to a local police station twice a week.
The founder of Telegram is facing a range of allegations, including charges related to child sexual abuse material, drug trafficking, and the unauthorized importation of cryptography, in addition to a “near-total absence” of cooperation with French law enforcement, as stated by Laure Beccuau, the Paris Prosecutor.
Authorities in France noted a significant lack of response from Telegram to legal inquiries. Beccuau explained that this situation prompted the National Jurisdiction for the Fight against Organized Crime (JUNALCO) to investigate the potential criminal responsibility of Telegram’s executives in connection with these offenses. The preliminary investigation started in February 2024, with initial efforts coordinated by the OFMIN, a dedicated agency for preventing violence against minors.
In a response made prior to Durov’s charges, Telegram labeled the assertion that the platform or its owner could be held accountable for the misuse of its services as “absurd.” With an active user base of 900 million, the platform has yet to publicly respond to the charges.
Following Durov’s arrest, both the United Arab Emirates and Russia have sought consular access, as he holds citizenship in both nations. Durov also acquired a French passport after leaving Russia, but the reasons for his presence in France remain unclear. He mentioned in a June post on his Telegram channel, “I don’t take holidays.”
Russia has suggested, without evidence, that Durov’s arrest reflects a U.S. effort to exert control over Telegram through France. Vyacheslav Volodin, the chairman of Russia’s State Duma, remarked on the app that Telegram is one of the few significant internet platforms free from U.S. influence.
In response to Durov’s detention, French President Emmanuel Macron stated on Monday that the matter is “in no way a political decision.” He emphasized that it is the judiciary’s role to apply the law independently. The European Commission confirmed to WIRED that the arrest was made according to French criminal law and is unrelated to any new European regulations concerning technology platforms. A spokesperson indicated that they are closely observing the developments surrounding Telegram and are ready to assist French authorities as necessary.
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