Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Allowed to Leave France Amid Investigation

Background of the Investigation

Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, was arrested in August 2024 at Le Bourget airport near Paris. He was subsequently placed under formal investigation, which included a ban on leaving the country.

Allegations Against Telegram

French prosecutors accuse Telegram of facilitating illegal activities, including:

Drug trafficking
Dissemination of child sexual abuse material
Money laundering

Authorities have criticized Telegram for its lack of cooperation with law enforcement, stating that the platform has been unresponsive to legal requests.

Bail Conditions and Temporary Release

As part of his conditional release, Durov was required to:

Post bail of €5 million
Report to a police station twice a week
Remain in France

However, an investigating judge has now granted him permission to leave the country for several weeks. He is believed to have departed for Dubai on Saturday morning.

Political and Legal Implications

The case has strained relations between France and Russia, particularly in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine. It has also reignited debates about the responsibilities of internet platforms in controlling illegal activities on their networks.

Next Steps in the Investigation

Being placed under formal investigation in France does not imply guilt or necessarily lead to trial. It indicates that judges believe there is sufficient evidence to continue the probe.

“Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Allowed to Leave France Amid Investigation”