Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Is Out Of Jail After French Court Grants Him Bail
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Released on Bail After French Court Grants Bail Amid Criminal Investigation
Pavel Durov, the CEO of Telegram, has been released from jail after being granted bail by a French court. His release follows his arrest last week amid an investigation into organized crime activities on the messaging app.
Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau stated that the judge found sufficient grounds to initiate a formal investigation against Durov on all charges that led to his initial arrest. The charges against Telegram include facilitating illicit transactions, distribution of child sexual abuse images, drug trafficking, fraud, money laundering, refusal to provide information to authorities, and offering cryptographic services to criminals.
Conditions of Pavel Durov’s Bail
Durov’s bail conditions include the payment of 5 million euros, reporting to the police twice a week, and restrictions on leaving France, as reported by Reuters. In France, a formal investigation does not imply guilt or necessarily lead to a trial but suggests there is enough evidence to consider moving forward with the case. Durov was arrested at an airport near Paris on a Saturday evening, leading to the judge’s recent decision to grant bail.
Paris prosecutor Beccuau noted that Telegram had been implicated in various criminal activities. The “almost total lack of response from Telegram to judicial requisitions” drew the attention of the Paris prosecutor’s office cybercrime unit. Other French investigation agencies, public prosecutors, and international partners, including those from Eurojust and Belgium, have raised similar concerns about Telegram’s lack of cooperation with judicial authorities.
The investigation into Durov began in February and was conducted by the National Office for Minors, leading to an introductory indictment in July.
Telegram, which has largely remained silent on Durov’s arrest, issued a statement on Monday asserting its compliance with European Union laws, emphasizing that its moderation practices align with industry standards and are continually improving. The statement further defended Durov, saying, “He has nothing to hide” and highlighted that Durov frequently travels to Europe. Telegram argued that it is unreasonable to hold a platform or its owner responsible for the misuse of the platform by others.
