Pavel Durov, the 39-year-old founder and CEO of Telegram, has been released from custody in France after four days of questioning, but now faces stringent judicial supervision. The Paris prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation against Durov for allegedly failing to cooperate with authorities in criminal investigations and aiding in criminal acts.Durov has been placed under judicial supervision with several conditions: he is required to post a 5 million euro bail, attend police check-ins twice a week, and is prohibited from leaving French territory. He is accused of six out of 12 previously mentioned offenses, including administering an online platform for illegal transactions and refusing to provide necessary information or documents to authorized authorities.In a separate development, French investigators have opened another case against Durov, alleging ‘serious acts of violence’ against one of his children. This investigation was initiated after Durov’s ex-partner filed a complaint in 2023, concerning their child born in 2017.The arrest and subsequent legal proceedings have sparked international debate. French President Emmanuel Macron has emphasized that the decision to detain Durov is ‘in no way political’ and is part of an independent judicial investigation. However, Russian officials have condemned the detention, with some calling it politically motivated and proof of the West’s double standard on freedom of speech.Telegram, which boasts over 900 million users, has stated that it complies with EU laws, including the Digital Services Act, and that its moderation practices are in line with industry standards. The company maintains that ‘it is absurd to claim that a platform, or its owner, are responsible for abuse of that platform’.As the legal proceedings unfold, the case continues to raise important questions about the balance between online safety, platform responsibility, and freedom of expression in the digital age.
Key points
- Pavel Durov has been released from custody but placed under strict judicial supervision in France.
- Durov faces multiple charges, including complicity in illegal activities on Telegram and failure to cooperate with authorities.
- A separate investigation has been opened against Durov for alleged violence against his child.
- The case has sparked international debate on platform responsibility and freedom of speech.
Contradictions👾There are conflicting reports about the exact number of charges Durov is facing.
Some sources mention 12 offenses, while others state he is accused of six out of 12 previously mentioned offenses.
