Pavel Durov, the CEO and founder of Telegram, has confirmed that he has left France and returned to Dubai, as French authorities continue their investigation into criminal activity linked to his messaging platform.
Durov, who holds Emirati citizenship, made the announcement on his Telegram channel on Monday, stating that he had spent several months in France following an investigation involving Telegram's role in criminal activities.
In August 2024, Durov was arrested at Le Bourget airport near Paris and faced preliminary charges related to crimes conducted on the app, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and the distribution of child sexual abuse material, AP News said.
He was detained for questioning for several days and was subsequently barred from leaving France.
The French authorities also imposed strict bail conditions, requiring Durov to report to a police station twice a week and pay €5 million in bail.
Despite these conditions, Durov was granted permission by French authorities to temporarily leave the country.
In his Telegram post, Durov explained, "As you may have heard, I've returned to Dubai after spending several months in France due to an investigation related to the activity of criminals on Telegram. The process is ongoing, but it feels great to be home."
Durov Defends Telegram Amid Investigation into Criminal Activity in France
While in France, Durov faced scrutiny over Telegram's handling of illegal activities on its platform.
French investigators accused the messaging app of not cooperating adequately with authorities in the investigation of criminal activity.
Telegram has been under fire for its perceived lack of moderation, which critics argue allows criminal groups to exploit the platform for illicit purposes.
In his post, Durov defended Telegram, stating that the platform has consistently met, and even exceeded, its legal obligations regarding content moderation and cooperation with authorities.
According to EuroNews, He acknowledged the challenges of managing a rapidly growing platform, stating that the surge in Telegram's user base has created "growing pains," which, in turn, made it easier for criminals to abuse the platform.
The legal investigation continues, and Durov's return to Dubai does not signal the end of the case.
Preliminary charges remain in place under French law, indicating that authorities have substantial evidence suggesting criminal activity but need more time for a thorough investigation.
Telegram, founded by Durov and his brother in 2013, has become a widely used communication tool, particularly in Ukraine, where both media outlets and government officials rely on the app to share critical information, including missile alerts amidst the ongoing war with Russia.
However, the app has faced criticism in Western countries for its lenient approach to content moderation, leading to concerns about its role in facilitating criminal behavior.
Related Article: Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Released From French Custody Days After Paris Airport Arrest
Originally published on vcpost.com
