Telegram CEO Pavel Durov charged in France for alleged criminal activity on platform

French investigative judges have charged Telegram CEO Pavel Durov with preliminary offenses for allegedly permitting criminal activities on his messaging app. Durov, a French citizen originally from Russia, has been barred from leaving France pending further investigation, according to an AP report.

The Telegram CEO was arrested on August 24 at Le Bourget airport near Paris in connection with a judicial inquiry initiated last month. Following four days of questioning, he was released on August 28. Later that evening, investigative judges formally charged him and set his bail at 5 million euros. Durov has also been asked to report to a police station twice a week, according to a Reuters report.

Allegations of abuse and non-cooperation
Pavel Durov faces accusations that Telegram is being used to distribute child sexual abuse material and facilitate drug trafficking. Authorities also claim that Telegram refused to share necessary information with investigators, violating legal obligations. His arrest has sparked outrage in Russia, with officials calling the move politically motivated and highlighting perceived double standards in Western freedom of speech policies.

Telegram responds to the chargesTelegram released a statement defending its platform, asserting compliance with EU laws and industry standards. The company called it “absurd” to hold a platform or its owner responsible for user abuse, emphasizing that it serves nearly a billion global users as a critical means of communication.