Pavel Durov, the CEO of Telegram, has been granted bail after four days of detention in France, where he faces serious legal charges. Durov, who was arrested at Le Bourget airport near Paris, is currently banned from leaving the country as he awaits a potential trial related to illegal content on his messaging platform.
On Wednesday, Durov, dressed in black and wearing dark glasses, was seen leaving the Paris courthouse and heading into a waiting car. Despite being charged, he was allowed to go free under judicial supervision. His bail was set at five million euros, and he must report to a police station twice a week and remain in France, according to Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau.
Durov faces multiple charges, including failing to control extremist and illegal content on Telegram, a platform with over 900 million users. The charges also include “complicity in the administration of an online platform to enable an illicit transaction,” which could result in up to 10 years in prison and a fine of 500,000 euros. Additional allegations involve refusing to provide requested documents, disseminating child pornography, drug trafficking, fraud, and money laundering.
The charges have sparked a range of reactions. Supporters, including tech mogul Elon Musk, have expressed their support for Durov, with Musk using the hashtag #FreePavel and posting a meme criticizing France’s approach. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has warned against what he perceives as “political persecution,” emphasizing Durov’s Russian citizenship.
Durov’s detention has raised questions about its timing and the circumstances surrounding it. His supporters view him as a champion of free speech, while critics accuse him of neglecting his platform’s responsibilities. Durov, a Russian-born tech entrepreneur, founded Telegram after leaving Russia in a dispute with authorities over his previous social network, VKontakte.
Durov’s legal troubles also extend to a separate investigation involving allegations of serious violence against one of his children, following a complaint filed by his ex-partner in Switzerland.
The case against Durov will now proceed to trial, with the French judicial authorities having opened their investigation earlier this year. Durov’s supporters and critics alike will be closely watching the outcome as he remains under judicial supervision in France.
Sources By Agencies
