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Telegram founder, Pavel Durov, is under formal investigation by French authorities and has been barred from leaving France, a statement from the French prosecutor’s office revealed late Wednesday.
Durov now faces preliminary of various criminal activities linked to his platform, including complicity in illegal transactions by organized gangs, laundering of crime proceeds, and failing to provide crucial information to authorities. As part of the judicial proceedings, Durov is required to stay in France under strict conditions, including a $5.56 million bail and mandatory bi-weekly check-ins at a local police station.
Earlier Wednesday, Durov was released from police custody and underwent questioning in court. The initiation of a formal investigation signals a serious inquiry by the prosecutors but does not imply guilt under French law. Charges against Durov have not yet been formally filed.
Free Speech Concerns
Durov’s arrest has ignited a debate over freedom of speech and raised alarms in both Ukraine and Russia, where Telegram is widely used by both civilians and military personnel. Russian officials have openly criticized the French government’s actions, suggesting a disregard for international norms regarding free speech.
The global reaction has been swift and vocal, with various figures weighing in on the implications of Durov’s detention. Russian authorities have expressed dismay at France’s actions, with the Russian embassy in Paris demanding access to Durov and accusing French authorities of “avoiding engagement” on the matter.
Meanwhile, American political figures and commentators have also shared their perspectives. Tucker Carlson, a right-wing commentator, argued on social media platform X that Durov’s arrest is an affront to free speech, stating “Pavel Durov left Russia when the government tried to control his social media company, Telegram. But in the end, it wasn’t Putin who arrested him for allowing the public to exercise free speech. It was a western country, a Biden administration ally and enthusiastic NATO member, that locked him away. Pavel Durov sits in a French jail tonight, a living warning to any platform owner who refuses to censor the truth at the behest of governments and intel agencies. Darkness is descending fast on the formerly free world.”
Elon Musk simply Tweeted “#FreePavel” and linked to Carlson’s previous interview with the Telegram founder.
Prominent tech figures such as Edward Snowden, Balaji Srinivasan, and Lex Fridman also tweeted their support for Telegram and Pavel.
French President Emmanuel Macron insisted on Monday that the legal actions against Durov were not politically motivated. This rare comment by a French leader in an ongoing judicial matter underscores the sensitivity of the case.