A French judge has put put Telegram CEO Pavel Durov under formal investigation into charges that he was complicit in organised crime committed using the messaging app. He was released on bail after four days of police custody.
Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said in a statement Wednesday that the judge found there were grounds to formally investigate Durov on all the charges for which he was initially arrested for questioning.
The charges include suspected complicity in running an online platform that allows illicit transactions, child sexual abuse material, drug trafficking and fraud, as well as the refusal to communicate information to authorities, money laundering and providing cryptographic services to criminals.
Durov, a French citizen born in Russia, was detained on Saturday at Le Bourget airport near Paris as part of a judicial inquiry involving 12 alleged criminal violations.
His arrest has sparked outrage in Russia, where government officials have called it politically motivated and evidence of the West’s double standard on freedom of speech.
This reaction has surprised some, as Russian authorities themselves tried to block Telegram in 2018, eventually lifting the ban in 2020.
Reaction from Iran
In Iran, where Telegram is widely used despite being officially banned, Durov’s arrest prompted comments from the Islamic Republic’s supreme leader.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei offered veiled praise for France, saying it was “strict” against those who “violate your governance” of the internet.
On Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Durov's arrest wasn’t a political move but part of an independent investigation.
Macron posted on X that France is “deeply committed” to freedom of expression, but that this freedom is upheld within a legal framework to protect citizens and respect their rights.
In a statement after Durov’s arrest, Telegram said it abides by EU laws and that its moderation is “within industry standards and constantly improving”.
The platform added: “It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform”, and reassured its nearly billion users of its commitment to resolving the situation promptly.
Russia ready to 'assist' Durov
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed hope that Durov would have all necessary legal support and said Moscow is “ready to provide all necessary assistance and support” to the Telegram CEO as a Russian citizen.
However, Peskov noted the complexity of the situation given Durov’s dual citizenship in Russia and France.
Telegram, founded by Durov and his brother, has long been a controversial platform, particularly in Russian politics.
The messaging app became a crucial tool for communication and news sharing during the Russian government’s crackdown following the pro-democracy protests in Moscow in 2011 and 2012.
Western governments have often criticised Telegram for a lack of content moderation, which experts say opens up the messaging app for potential use in money laundering, drug trafficking and the sharing of material linked to the sexual exploitation of minors.
