Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, has been at the center of legal turmoil in France. On August 24, at Le Bourget airport in Paris, authorities arrested Durov and charged him with multiple criminal offenses. The latest updates reveal significant developments in his case.
Court Appearance and Charges:
Following several days of detention, Durov made his court appearance in a Paris courthouse on August 28. French prosecutors have charged him with a range of offenses related to his role at Telegram, including complicity with illegal activities, money laundering, criminal association, and failure to declare cryptology services. The authorities released him from custody, but they barred him from leaving France and required him to post a bail of 5 million euros ($5.5 million) as a condition for his release.
Investigation Details:
The investigation, which began in July, focuses on allegations that Durov facilitated illicit activities through Telegram, such as the spread of child pornography. Additionally, he faces separate child abuse allegations in Switzerland, though these are unrelated to the French case. The Paris Prosecutor’s Office, or Parquet de Paris, has extended his custody period to a maximum of 96 hours, which has now ended.
Reactions and Future Implications:
Durov’s arrest and charges have sparked controversy, with critics arguing that the case represents an infringement on free speech and could set a troubling precedent for other social media platforms. With Telegram boasting over 900 million monthly active users, legal approaches towards social media companies globally are closely monitoring this case.
In a strong rebuke of recent events, Edward Snowden took to Twitter to criticize the arrest of Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, calling it an attack on fundamental human rights, including freedom of speech and association. Snowden expressed his dismay at French President Emmanuel Macron’s actions, suggesting that resorting to such measures to access private communications is tantamount to taking hostages. According to Snowden, this not only tarnishes France’s reputation but also sets a concerning precedent for the rest of the world.
Current Status:
Despite his release from court, Durov is still under judicial supervision and cannot leave France. His legal team and supporters continue to argue that his detention is an unjust attack on freedom of expression.
