Telegram CEO released from police custody in France
French prosecutors released Telegram CEO Pavel Durov from police custody on Wednesday after he had been questioned for four days regarding allegations that the messaging app was being used for illicit activities.
Durov was detained on Saturday at Le Bourget airport near Paris as part of an ongoing judicial inquiry into 12 alleged criminal offenses.
According to a statement from the Paris prosecutor’s office, “An investigating judge has concluded Pavel Durov’s detention and will now bring him before the court for an initial appearance and potential indictment.”
The accusations against Durov, who holds French citizenship in addition to his Russian nationality, include claims that Telegram is being utilized for the distribution of child sexual abuse material, drug trafficking, fraud, and facilitating organized crime. Additionally, Telegram is alleged to have failed to comply with legal requirements for sharing information and documents with investigators.
Durov’s detention has sparked a strong reaction in Russia, where some officials have criticized the move as politically motivated and indicative of Western double standards on free speech. This reaction is notable given that Russian authorities attempted to block Telegram in 2018, only to lift the ban in 2020 after failing to enforce it effectively.
In Iran, where Telegram is heavily used despite being officially banned following years of anti-government protests, Durov’s arrest elicited a reaction from the Islamic Republic’s supreme leader. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei subtly commended France for its stringent stance against those who “violate your governance” of the internet.
French President Emmanuel Macron clarified on Monday that Durov’s arrest was not politically driven but part of an independent legal process. Macron emphasized on X that while France is staunchly committed to freedom of expression, this freedom is exercised within a legal framework that aims to protect citizens and uphold their fundamental rights.
Following Durov’s arrest, Telegram issued a statement affirming its adherence to EU regulations and its commitment to industry-standard moderation practices. The platform emphasized that it is unreasonable to hold a platform or its owner accountable for how users misuse it. “With nearly a billion global users, Telegram serves as a crucial communication tool and source of information. We are eager for a swift resolution to this matter,” Telegram’s statement read.
In addition to his Russian and French citizenship, Durov also holds citizenship in the United Arab Emirates and the Caribbean island nation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
