French authorities have charged Telegram CEO Pavel Durov on Wednesday with allowing alleged criminal activity on his messaging app.
Durov was apprehended on Saturday at Le Bourget airport, just outside Paris, as part of a judicial investigation launched last month that involves 12 suspected criminal offenses. Durov was released from police custody after four days of questioning related to the allegations.
However, Durov now faces a preliminary charge against him for ”complicity in managing an online platform to allow illicit transactions by an organized group,” a crime that can lead to sentences of up to 10 years in prison and 500,000 euro fine, the prosecutor’s office said on Wednesday.
Under French law, preliminary charges mean magistrates have strong reason to believe a crime was committed but allows for more time for further investigation.
The charges against him stem from claims that Telegram has been used for distributing child sexual abuse material, facilitating drug trafficking, committing fraud, and aiding organized crime. Additionally, Durov’s refusal to cooperate with investigators by withholding information or documents when legally required has further complicated his legal troubles.
According to the Associated Press, French prosecutors said in a statement that Durov is “at this stage, the only person implicated in this case,” but they did not exclude the possibility that other people are being investigated.
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Durov, a Russian-born tech entrepreneur, who now holds French citizenship, has provoked mixed reactions since his arrest. While some free speech advocates argue that the charges threaten digital freedom, critics contend that Telegram’s lax moderation policies enable serious criminal activity.
The Russian government, which previously attempted to ban Telegram, has expressed support for Durov, with Kremlin officials condemning the charges as politically motivated.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said while he hoped that Durov “has all the necessary opportunities for his legal defense” and that Moscow stands “ready to provide all necessary assistance,” the situation is “complicated by the fact that he is also a citizen of France.”
However, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that Durov’s arrest was part of an independent judicial process, not a politically motivated action, posting on X that his country “is deeply committed” to freedom of expression but “freedoms are upheld within a legal framework, both on social media and in real life, to protect citizens and respect their fundamental rights.”
Meanwhile, in a statement posted on its platform after Durov’s arrest, Telegram said it abides by EU laws, and its moderation is “within industry standards and constantly improving.”
“It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform,” Telegram’s post said. “Almost a billion users globally use Telegram as means of communication and as a source of vital information. We’re awaiting a prompt resolution of this situation. Telegram is with you all.”
Durov, who has not yet commented publicly on the charges, continues to manage Telegram, which has grown in popularity as a platform.
