Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, has been released from police custody as formal investigations loom over serious allegations against him, according to Paris prosecutors on Wednesday.
At 39, the Russian-born entrepreneur—who also holds French nationality—now finds himself under strict judicial supervision despite his release. He faces hefty requirements: a €5 million deposit, bi-weekly check-ins at a local police station, and a ban on leaving France.
Durov’s troubles began last Saturday when he was detained at Le Bourget airport near Paris. Authorities acted on a warrant tied to supposed criminal activities related to Telegram, igniting a firestorm of controversy.
Set to be formally interrogated, Durov will defend himself against grave accusations: complicity in enabling illicit transactions by organized crime gangs and a refusal to collaborate with law enforcement. The stakes are high, with Telegram allegedly withholding critical information from investigators and becoming embroiled in distributing child sexual abuse material.
The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed that an investigating judge has ended Durov’s police detention, but not before warning of a potential indictment looming on the horizon. Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau revealed that Durov has been ordered to pay an eye-watering bail sum, all while facing scrutiny from authorities both in France and across Europe.
“Telegram has shown a near-total absence of cooperation,” Beccuau stated, adding that the platform is entangled in multiple criminal cases ranging from child sexual abuse to drug trafficking and online hate crimes. Prosecutors in France, Belgium, and beyond have echoed the vast implications of Durov’s actions.
Meanwhile, the complex nature of Durov’s case means that justice may not come swiftly. Special judges, with remarkable investigative powers, may bring charges if sufficient evidence emerges, but they also reserve the right to dismiss cases lacking merit. If convicted, Durov could face up to ten years behind bars.
His arrest has ignited international outrage, with Russian officials claiming it is politically motivated, an outcry reminiscent of Russia’s failed attempts to ban Telegram in 2018, a prohibition only lifted two years later. Meanwhile, in Iran, where Telegram is banned yet frequently used, Durov’s detention has been interpreted as France’s fierce stand on internet governance violations.
French President Emmanuel Macron has sought to clarify the situation, insisting that Durov’s arrest is firmly rooted in an independent investigation rather than a political agenda. Macron took to X to defend civil liberties: “Our country is deeply committed to freedom of expression, but those freedoms are safeguarded within a legal framework designed to protect citizens and their fundamental rights.”
In a statement, Telegram has asserted its commitment to complying with EU laws and industry standards, contending that it is “absurd” to hold a platform or its founder responsible for the misuse of its services. “With almost a billion active users, Telegram remains a vital communication tool and source of information. We eagerly await a swift resolution to this situation.”
The UAE Foreign Ministry is closely monitoring Durov’s case, urging France to provide him with essential consular services. Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has expressed hope that Durov can secure an adequate legal defense, reiterating Russia’s willingness to offer support despite the complexities linked to his French citizenship.
Co-founding Telegram after selling VKontakte in 2013—an exit forced by rising pressures from Russian authorities—Durov has built a powerful tool for pro-democracy activists and a news platform invaluable to Ukrainian citizens. Yet, the lack of stringent content moderation has drawn criticism, leading to actions like a $5 million fine from Germany in 2022 for failing to report illegal content.
As the world watches closely, the unfolding drama surrounding Pavel Durov promises to challenge the boundaries of freedom of expression, internet governance, and legal accountability in the digital age.
