French prosecutors have announced a list of serious charges that could be filed against Telegram founder and CEO, Pavel Durov. The accusations range from involvement in drug trafficking and money laundering to facilitating the spread of child pornography.
Durov, a 39-year-old Russian national who also holds citizenship in France, the UAE, and St. Kitts and Nevis, was detained by French authorities on Saturday. He had just arrived in Paris on a private jet from Azerbaijan when the arrest took place.
On Monday, prosecutor Laure Beccuau issued a statement confirming Durov’s arrest. The charges are part of a broad criminal investigation currently underway against an unnamed individual. Twelve potential charges are being considered against Durov, including facilitating narcotics distribution, money laundering, organized crime, and aiding in the distribution of child pornography.
In addition to these allegations, Durov is also being scrutinized for his alleged refusal to cooperate with investigations into cybercrime and financial crimes, according to Beccuau.
In France, criminal investigations are overseen by special magistrates, and charges like those against Durov are often announced before all the evidence has been fully gathered. These investigations can span several years, with charges potentially being dropped if there’s insufficient evidence.
The inquiry, which began last month, is led by France’s anti-cybercrime and anti-fraud offices, as noted in the press release.
Telegram responded to the accusations on Sunday, dismissing them as “absurd.” The company stated that neither the platform nor its owner should be held accountable for any misuse of the service. Telegram emphasized that it complies with local laws, including the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) and anti-Russian sanctions.
Despite its widespread use, with nearly a billion monthly users, Telegram has a reputation for not sharing user data or chat records with law enforcement. Durov has previously claimed that this commitment to user privacy has made him a target for intelligence agencies worldwide. In an April interview, he alleged that the FBI attempted to recruit one of his employees to install a backdoor in the app, which would have allowed them to spy on Telegram users.
Durov’s arrest has sparked outrage among anti-censorship activists, who view it as part of a broader crackdown on free speech by Western governments. Notable figures such as NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, X owner Elon Musk, journalist Tucker Carlson, and Silicon Valley investor David Sacks have condemned the arrest, labeling it an attack on free speech.
However, French President Emmanuel Macron defended the arrest, stating in a social media post on Monday that it was “in no way a political decision.” He clarified that Durov’s arrest was part of an “ongoing judicial investigation” and reassured that France remains committed to freedom of expression, communication, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
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