Pavel Durov, the CEO of the popular messaging app Telegram, has been banned from leaving France following his arrest and charges related to “organized crime.” French authorities apprehended Durov at Le Bourget airport outside Paris on Saturday, August 24th, as part of an investigation into alleged criminal activities on the platform. After four days of questioning, he was released on Wednesday, August 28th, but under strict conditions.
Durov was ordered to pay a substantial bail of 5 million euros (approximately ₹46,71,01,043) and report to a police station twice weekly. The decision to ban him from leaving the country came after investigative judges filed preliminary charges against him. These charges, under French law, indicate a strong belief by the magistrates that a crime has been committed. However, they also allow for further investigation before a final verdict is reached.
The French authorities allege that Telegram was used for illegal activities such as child sexual abuse and drug trafficking. They also claim that Telegram refused to cooperate with investigators by providing requested information and documents. The primary charge against Durov is “complicity in managing an online platform to allow illicit transactions by an organized group.” This accusation suggests that Telegram knowingly facilitated or ignored the illegal activities taking place on its platform.
The arrest and charges against Durov have raised concerns about the potential for messaging apps to be used for criminal purposes. The incident has also put pressure on Telegram to address these concerns and take proactive steps to prevent such activities on its platform. The investigation is ongoing, and it remains to be seen what the final outcome will be for Durov and the messaging app itself.
