Telegram Founder Pavel Durov to Face Charges Amid French Probe
Pavel Durov, the enigmatic founder and chief of the popular messaging app Telegram, is set to learn on Wednesday whether he will face charges and potential custody after his weekend arrest by French authorities. The tech mogul, 39, was arrested at Le Bourget airport outside Paris on Saturday and has since been detained for questioning.
As part of a confidential probe opened on July 8, Durov is being investigated on suspicion of 12 offences related to his alleged failure to curb extremist content on Telegram. The app, which boasts over 900 million users, was founded by Durov a decade ago as he was leaving his native Russia.
The arrest has raised numerous questions, particularly about the timing and circumstances of Durov’s detention. He was seen flying into Paris, seemingly aware that a warrant had been issued against him. In a rare public statement, French President Emmanuel Macron said the arrest was part of an ongoing judicial investigation and denied any political involvement.
“We must respect the law and the judges,” Macron wrote. “It is in no way a political decision. It is up to the judges to rule on the matter.”
Moscow’s Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov echoed Macron’s statement, saying the charges were serious and required substantial evidence. The United Arab Emirates, where Telegram is based, has requested consular access for its citizen, Durov.
Among those supporting Durov is fellow tech mogul Elon Musk, who has posted comments under the hashtag #FreePavel. Telegram, in response to the arrest, said Durov “has nothing to hide” and travels frequently in Europe. The company added that it abides by EU laws, including the Digital Services Act, and its moderation is within industry standards.
The probe is centered around allegations of extremist content on Telegram, with France’s OFMIN, an office tasked with preventing violence against minors, issuing an arrest warrant for Durov. Telegram has positioned itself as a “neutral” alternative to US-owned platforms, which have been criticized for their commercial exploitation of users’ personal data.
However, critics accuse Telegram of hosting often illegal content, including extreme sexual imagery, disinformation, and narcotics services. The company has played a key role since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with both sides using the app to disseminate information.
The fate of Durov will be determined by the investigating magistrate, who can either free him or press charges and remand him in custody. The investigation is ongoing, with the world waiting to see what charges, if any, will be brought against the Telegram founder.
