French Investigation Into Telegram’s Pavel Durov Called “Absurd” by Lawyer

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov is currently under investigation in France. His lawyer said all the allegations are “completely absurd”.

French authorities placed Durov under formal investigation on Wednesday, accusing him of being involved in operating an online platform that facilitated illegal activities including illegal transactions, distribution of child sexual abuse material, and drug trafficking. He is also being investigated for suspected money laundering and refusal to cooperate with judicial authorities.

Durov was arrested on Saturday at an airport near Paris and held in police custody for four days. He was released on bail under strict conditions. He must pay 5 million euros ($5.6 million), report to the police twice a week, and is prohibited from leaving France.

The case has raised a big cross broader debate about the balance between free speech and law enforcement.

“It’s completely ridiculous to suggest that the head of a social network could be complicit in criminal activities he has no direct or indirect involvement in,” said David-Olivier Kaminski, Durov’s lawyer in France, in statements to the press. Kaminski emphasized that Telegram complies fully with European digital regulations.

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In France, being placed under formal investigation does not imply guilt and does not necessarily lead to a trial; it merely indicates that judges believe there is sufficient evidence to continue the investigation, which could last for years before reaching a courtroom or being dismissed.

French President Emmanuel Macron is also a known Telegram user. He has distanced himself from this case. He said that Durov’s arrest was “in no way a political decision” and that the investigation was initiated by judicial authorities, there is no involvement of the government. A source close to the president said Macron met Durov in 2018 during a series of discussions with tech entrepreneurs and granted Durov French citizenship in 2021 through a rare process reserved for high-profile individuals.