French prosecutors have charged Pavel Durov, the Russian-born founder of the popular messaging app Telegram, on multiple counts related to the platform’s alleged facilitation of illegal activities.
Durov, who also holds French citizenship, faces accusations of failing to address extremist and illicit content on Telegram, including complicity in managing an online platform for illegal transactions, and further allegations involving child pornography, drug trafficking, and money laundering.
The Kremlin has swiftly condemned the charges, warning France against turning Durov’s case into a political persecution. Russia, amid its own controversial crackdown on political dissent, views the arrest of Durov, who was detained in Paris earlier this week, as politically motivated.
Durov has been granted conditional release on a €5 million bail and must report to French police twice a week while remaining in the country. His lawyer has dismissed the charges as “absurd,” asserting that Telegram adheres strictly to European digital regulations.
READ ALSO : Telegram CEO, Durov regains freedom after four days in French custody
In addition to the French charges, Durov is under investigation in Paris for alleged violence towards his child, a case that also led to a complaint in Switzerland. Durov’s supporters, including tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, have rallied behind him, framing the situation as an attack on free speech.
Durov’s detention has sparked debate over the timing and motives behind the case, with some seeing it as a measure to silence a prominent figure in digital freedom. The founder, who has previously met with French President Emmanuel Macron, founded Telegram a decade ago while leaving Russia amid legal disputes over his earlier project, VKontakte.
The French judicial system’s scrutiny of Telegram began earlier this year due to concerns over the platform’s responsiveness to legal requests, escalating into a high-profile legal and diplomatic issue with significant international implications.
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