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 on the messaging app, according to Paris prosecutors.
Although he has not been remanded in custody, Durov faces judicial supervision, which includes paying a €5 million deposit, reporting to a French police station twice a week, and being prohibited from leaving France.
Durov, a Russian-born French national, was detained upon arrival at Le Bourget airport near Paris last Saturday under a warrant related to alleged offenses involving the app.
The charges include complicity in administering an online platform for illicit transactions by an organized gang, refusal to cooperate with authorities, and complicity in the distribution of sexual images of children.
Being under formal investigation does not imply guilt or guarantee a trial, but it indicates that there is sufficient basis for further investigation.
Durov has not yet publicly commented on these developments.
His lawyer, David-Olivier Kaminski, argued that Telegram adheres to European digital regulations and that the accusations are baseless.
The arrest of a social media platform owner over the use of their platform is unprecedented and has sparked debate about freedom of speech and accountability.
Elon Musk has defended Durov, labeling moderation as “censorship,” while Chris Pavlovski, founder of Rumble, has reportedly left Europe following Durov’s detention.
Telegram, headquartered in Dubai, has been accused of not cooperating with international efforts to combat child abuse material online, a claim the company disputes, asserting that its moderation tools meet industry standards.
French President Emmanuel Macron has stated that the detention is not politically motivated.
Russia has expressed readiness to assist Durov but noted the complexity due to his dual citizenship.
Durov, who left Russia in 2014 over government demands to shut down opposition communities, also holds passports from St Kitts and Nevis and the UAE.
