Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Charged Over Alleged Criminal Activity On Messaging App, Released On €5 Million Bail

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has been charged by French authorities in connection with alleged criminal activities facilitated through the messaging app Telegram. Durov was arrested on Saturday at Le Bourget airport in France, facing accusations that Telegram has been used for exchanging child sexual abuse material, drug trafficking, fraud, and money laundering.

Durov has posted a €5 million bail, allowing him to avoid jail while the investigation continues. French judges have ordered him to remain in France during the investigation, according to a report by Sky News.

In response to the allegations, Telegram issued a statement asserting that the platform complies with EU laws and that its moderation practices are “within industry standards and constantly improving.” The company also dismissed the charges as “absurd,” arguing that holding a platform or its owner accountable for the misuse of the service by individuals is unreasonable.

French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the situation, emphasizing that Durov’s arrest resulted from a judicial investigation, not a politically motivated action. In a statement released via his verified X page, Macron stressed the independence of the French judiciary and the government’s non-interference in legal proceedings.

Macron reiterated France’s commitment to freedom of expression, innovation, and entrepreneurship, while also underscoring the importance of upholding the law to protect citizens and their rights.

The Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office has outlined a list of potential charges against Durov, including complicity in drug dealing, money laundering, and facilitating the distribution of child pornography. Durov, a 39-year-old Russian national who also holds citizenship in France, the UAE, and St. Kitts and Nevis, was detained upon arriving in Paris from Azerbaijan by private jet.