A French court judge granted conditional bail to Telegram boss Pavel Durov on Wednesday. The conditions included posting bail of 5 million euros, reporting to the police twice a week, and a travel ban from leaving France. Durov was detained for formal investigation under charges of organized crime.
Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau stated that the judge found sufficient grounds to initiate an investigation into all allegations against Paul. Paul was arrested four days ago. He faces charges of facilitating illegal transactions, possessing child exploitation images, drug trafficking, and operating online platforms enabling fraud, along with refusing to inform authorities and providing cryptographic services to criminals.
Durov’s lawyer made no comment on the matter. In France, a formal investigation doesn’t necessarily imply guilt or that the case will go to court; rather, it indicates that judges have found enough evidence to warrant further investigation. These investigations can take years before potentially being brought to trial or closed.
This decision came after Russian-native Durov was arrested on Saturday evening at an airport near Paris. Durov’s arrest has sparked debates about balancing freedom of expression and law enforcement. It also underscores the complex relations between Telegram and governments, with around 1 billion users, and serves as a warning to tech giants who do not cooperate with authorities against alleged illegal activities on their platforms.
Russian state news agency RIA published a video on Telegram showing Durov, dressed in black with a baseball cap and sunglasses, leaving the prosecutor's office and entering a waiting vehicle. Reuters cannot verify the authenticity of these images.
Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said Telegram has been used for various criminal activities, and when the court requested information, Telegram provided almost no cooperation. Consequently, France’s cybercrime unit initiated an investigation into whether Telegram's managers could be held responsible for these crimes. This investigation began in February, and charges were brought in July.
Telegram has made minimal comments on the issue. In a statement released Monday, Telegram stated it complies with European laws and its moderation policy meets industry standards. They asserted that Durov has nothing to hide and often travels within Europe. Claiming that the platform owner should be held responsible for its misuse is a misrepresentation.
Durov holds citizenships in France, Russia, and the UAE. His arrest has strained relations between France and Russia. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that the relations between the two countries have hit their lowest point. Kremlin spokesperson said Russia is willing to assist Durov, but his French citizenship complicates the situation.
Telegram has also played a significant role in the Ukraine war, being used by both sides to share news and propaganda. Telegram positions itself as a safe platform for free speech, but it has also been used by some controversial groups. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Durov's arrest was not a political decision and that France legally supports freedom of speech. In 2018, Macron had lunch with Durov, and in 2021, Durov was granted French citizenship through a special process.
