French court to decide on charges against Telegram boss arrested over 'extremist' content

Aug. 28, 2024, 4:29 a.m.

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Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, is scheduled to learn on Wednesday whether he will face charges and possibly be detained after his weekend arrest by French authorities over alleged violations within the messaging app.

Durov, 39, was apprehended at Le Bourget airport outside Paris late Saturday, and while judicial authorities have repeatedly extended his initial detention period, it can last a maximum of 96 hours.

As part of a confidential investigation initiated on July 8, Durov is being investigated on suspicion of 12 offenses related to failing to address extremist content on Telegram, according to sources close to the investigation.

Advertisement The tech entrepreneur started Telegram while leaving his home country, Russia, a decade ago. Its growth has been rapid, and the app now has over 900 million users.

Durov, a private individual who rarely speaks publicly, holds citizenship in Russia, France, and the United Arab Emirates, where Telegram is headquartered.

Forbes magazine estimates his current wealth at $15.5 billion, although he proudly promotes the benefits of a simple lifestyle that includes cold baths and abstaining from alcohol and coffee.

Numerous questions have been raised about the timing and circumstances of Durov’s detention, in particular why he flew into Paris apparently knowing a warrant had been issued against him.

- ‘In no way political’ -

In a post on X to address what he called “false information” concerning the case, French President Emmanuel Macron said Durov’s arrest “took place as part of an ongoing judicial investigation”.

“It is in no way a political decision. It is up to the judges to rule on the matter,” he wrote in a highly unusual comment on a legal case.

In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the charges were very serious and thus needed “no less serious evidence”.

“Otherwise this would be a direct attempt to restrict freedom of communication, and, I might even say, directly intimidate the head of a large company,” he said.

Advertisement The UAE meanwhile said it was “closely following the case” and had requested consular access for its citizen.

Among those publicly supporting Durov is Elon Musk, the tech mogul and CEO of X, who has expressed his support using the hashtag #FreePavel.

- ‘Nothing to hide’ -

After the initial 96-hour interrogation period concludes, the investigating magistrate has the authority to either release Durov or formally charge him and order his detention.

Alternatively, he could be released under judicial supervision, which might entail limitations on his movements.

Durov, who has resided in Dubai in recent years, arrived in Paris from Baku, Azerbaijan, with plans to dine in the French capital, according to a source familiar with the situation.

An advertisement preceded the statement. The source, requesting anonymity, said he was accompanied by a security detail and a personal aide who travel with him regularly.

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Azerbaijan on August 18 and 19, although Peskov denied any meeting between the two leaders.

France’s OFMIN, an office tasked with preventing violence against minors, issued an arrest warrant for Durov in a preliminary investigation into alleged offences including fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organised crime and promotion of terrorism.

Telegram said in response that “Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe”.

“Telegram abides by EU laws, including the Digital Services Act – its moderation is within industry standards,” it added.

Advertisement “It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform.”

Telegram has positioned itself as a “neutral” alternative to US-owned platforms, which have been criticised for their commercial exploitation of users’ personal data.

It has also played a key role since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, used actively by politicians and commentators on both sides of the war.

However, critics allege that it often hosts illicit content, ranging from explicit sexual imagery to misinformation and services related to narcotics.