Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Charged in France, Banned from Leaving Country

Pavel Durov, the founder and chief executive of the popular messaging app Telegram, has been charged with multiple violations by French authorities. The charges stem from alleged failures to control extremist and illegal content on the platform. Durov, a Russian-born billionaire, has been banned from leaving France and was released on bail after spending four days under arrest.

Durov, 39, was detained at Le Bourget Airport outside Paris and subsequently questioned by investigators. On Wednesday, he faced several charges, including complicity in enabling illegal transactions through the app, failing to comply with document requests from authorities, and being involved in the dissemination of child pornography, drug trafficking, fraud, and money laundering.

The Paris prosecutor, Laure Beccuau, confirmed that Durov was granted conditional release on a bail of five million euros. He is required to report to a police station twice a week and must remain in France as investigations continue.

Durov’s legal team, led by David-Olivier Kaminski, has vehemently denied the allegations, calling them “absurd” and asserting that Telegram complies with all European digital technology regulations.

Additionally, Durov is under investigation for alleged serious acts of violence towards one of his children during a stay in Paris with his ex-partner. A separate complaint against him was also filed in Switzerland last year.

Background

Pavel Durov, who holds citizenship in Russia, France, and the United Arab Emirates, founded Telegram a decade ago after leaving Russia. The app has grown significantly, now boasting over 900 million users worldwide. Despite his low public profile, Durov is considered a prominent figure in the tech world, with a net worth estimated at $15.5 billion.

The timing and circumstances of Durov’s detention have raised questions, with supporters viewing him as a champion of free speech and critics accusing him of allowing Telegram to become a haven for illegal activities. Reports indicate that Durov had previously met with French President Emmanuel Macron and was even offered the opportunity to headquarter Telegram in Paris, which he declined.

The charges against Pavel Durov are severe, and the case has garnered international attention. French authorities first began investigating Telegram’s alleged non-compliance in February 2024, citing the platform’s failure to respond adequately to requests from officials. As the legal proceedings continue, the tech community and public alike are watching closely to see how this high-profile case unfolds.