urgent: Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has been freed on €5M bail but continues to face troubling allegations

Pavel Durov Faces Serious Charges as French Authorities Investigate Telegram’s Role in Illegal Content

Paris, France – Telegram founder Pavel Durov was released on a €5 million bail after being detained by French authorities amid an investigation into illegal content on his messaging platform. The Russian-born tech mogul is forbidden from leaving France and must report to the police twice a week, as he faces potential trial over charges that could lead to a 10-year prison sentence.

Durov, 39, was arrested at Le Bourget airport near Paris and spent four days in custody before appearing in court on Wednesday. Dressed in black and wearing dark sunglasses, he swiftly exited the courthouse and was driven away under tight security.

The charges against Durov include complicity in managing an online platform to facilitate illicit transactions, dissemination of child pornography, drug trafficking, fraud, and money laundering. Authorities have accused Telegram of failing to respond to requests for informational, leading to the investigation launched earlier this year.

Durov’s lawyer, David-Olivier Kaminski, dismissed the accusations as “absurd,” insisting that Telegram adheres to European digital regulations. Meanwhile, the Kremlin has warned against what it calls “political persecution” of the Russian national, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating, “We will be watching what happens next.”

Tech industry leaders, including Elon Musk, have rallied in support of Durov. Musk, CEO of X, posted under the hashtag #FreePavel, criticizing the charges as an attack on freedom of speech

Durov’s legal troubles extend beyond the digital realm. He is also under investigation for alleged violent acts against his child, following a complaint filed in Switzerland last year by his ex-partner.

This case adds another chapter to the enigmatic life of Durov, who founded Telegram after leaving Russia amid disputes with the Kremlin. Now a citizen of Russia, France, and the UAE, Durov continues to be a polarizing figure, praised for his commitment to privacy and free speech, while critics argue that Telegram has become a haven for illegal activities.

The next steps in the investigation will determine whether Durov will face trial, with the possibility of significant legal repercussions looming.