French Authorities Charge Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, Bar Him from Leaving Country

In a dramatic escalation, French authorities have slapped preliminary charges on Pavel Durov, the CEO of Telegram, accusing him of facilitating criminal activities on his messaging platform. Durov, a Russian-born French citizen, was detained at Le Bourget airport near Paris on Saturday and held for four days before being released on Wednesday. He now faces a 5 million euro bail and must report to a police station twice a week as the investigation continues.

The charges against Durov involve serious allegations, including the use of Telegram for child sexual abuse material and drug trafficking. Authorities also claim Telegram failed to cooperate with their requests for information and documents.

The arrest has sparked a storm of controversy, particularly in Russia, where officials denounce the move as politically motivated and a sign of Western hypocrisy regarding free speech. The Kremlin, which previously attempted to ban Telegram in 2018 before lifting the ban in 2020, has expressed concern about the situation.

In Iran, where Telegram is banned but widely used, Durov’s arrest has drawn a rare comment from the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who praised France for its tough stance on internet governance.

French President Emmanuel Macron has insisted that the investigation is purely legal and not politically driven. On X (formerly Twitter), Macron emphasized France’s commitment to free expression but underscored that such freedoms must operate within legal boundaries to safeguard citizens’ rights.

Telegram has responded by asserting its compliance with EU laws and maintaining that it is not responsible for the misuse of its platform. The company stated, “It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform,” and expressed hope for a swift resolution.

Durov holds citizenship in France, the UAE, and St. Kitts and Nevis. The UAE Foreign Ministry has requested that France ensure Durov receives all necessary consular assistance. Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has expressed hope that Durov will have the opportunity for a fair legal defense and offered Moscow’s support.

Telegram was founded by Durov and his brother after he faced pressure from Russian authorities over his previous venture, VKontakte. In 2013, Durov sold his stake in VKontakte after facing demands to censor opposition content and hand over user data.

The company has been a crucial communication tool in Russia and Ukraine, especially amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where it is used for sharing critical updates and alerts.

Western governments have criticized Telegram for its lack of content moderation, which they argue could enable illegal activities, including money laundering and the spread of harmful material. In 2022, Germany fined Telegram $5 million for failing to establish proper reporting mechanisms and a designated contact for official communications.