Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Placed Under Formal Investigation in France

Telegram founder Pavel Durov has been placed under formal investigation in France as authorities probe alleged organized crime activities on the messaging app. The 39-year-old Russian-born billionaire, who is also a French national, is accused of several serious offenses, including complicity in enabling illicit transactions and the distribution of illegal content.

Durov has been placed under judicial supervision, requiring him to stay in France, report to a police station twice a week, and pay a €5 million deposit. He was detained upon arriving at Le Bourget airport near Paris last Saturday under a warrant related to these charges.

The Paris prosecutors’ statement on Wednesday outlined the accusations against Durov, including his alleged refusal to cooperate with authorities and his involvement in the administration of a platform used for organized crime. However, being placed under formal investigation in France does not imply guilt but indicates that judges believe there is sufficient evidence to pursue the case further.

Durov has not commented publicly on the situation, and Telegram has maintained that its founder has “nothing to hide.” The company, known for its end-to-end encryption, is one of the world’s leading social media platforms.

While French President Emmanuel Macron has stated that the decision to investigate Durov is not politically motivated, Russia has criticized the move, suggesting it could be seen as an act of “intimidation” against a major tech company without substantial evidence. The investigation continues, and it remains to be seen how it will impact Durov and Telegram.