Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Allowed to Leave France Amid Criminal Investigation
Durov was arrested in August 2024 at Le Bourget Airport near Paris and subsequently placed under formal investigation, facing charges related to enabling organized crime on Telegram, including allegations of drug trafficking and the distribution of child exploitation material. Following his arrest, he was released on bail of €5 million, with conditions that included reporting to the police twice weekly and a prohibition on leaving France.
Recent developments indicate that an investigating judge has authorized Durov to leave France for several weeks, and he is believed to have departed for Dubai on March 15, 2025. This decision marks a significant change in his judicial supervision, allowing him temporary freedom of movement.
Durov’s arrest and the subsequent investigation have sparked global debates on the responsibilities of tech platforms in moderating user-generated content and the balance between privacy, free speech, and law enforcement. Figures like Elon Musk have expressed concerns over the implications of Durov’s arrest for free speech. In response to the allegations, Durov has emphasized that Telegram has always cooperated with regulators and is committed to improving its security measures to prevent misuse of the platform.
As the investigation continues, Durov’s temporary departure from France underscores the ongoing legal challenges faced by tech executives in relation to content moderation and platform misuse.
Editorial Team
Reporter at Coindoo
