Telegram CEO Pavel Durov indicted and released under judicial supervision

After being detained by the police for four days, Pavel DurovThe founder and boss of the encrypted communications company Telegram was indicted by two investigating judges in Paris on Wednesday evening for a series of crimes related to organized crime, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau announced in a press release. The 39-year-old entrepreneur was released under strict judicial supervision; it stipulates the obligation to provide a deposit of 5 million euros, report to the police twice a week and is prohibited from leaving French territory.

The case was filed for investigation on July 8Preliminary investigation The operation was launched in February 2024 by the Anti-Cybercrime Unit of the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office.

Pavel Dourov, who had just landed from Azerbaijan on his private plane, was arrested by border police at Le Bourget airport (Seine-Saint-Denis) on Saturday evening and questioned by gendarmes from the Center for Combating Digital Crime, as well as customs officials from the National Anti-Fraud Office. The questions seemed to focus particularly on the regulatory mechanisms On Telegramwhose bosses pride themselves on guaranteeing confidentiality and using it to share incriminating or criminal content.

Child pornography and drug imagery

The judicial investigation opened against several unnamed suspects specifically concerns the distribution of child pornography and drugs. It also targets conspiracy to commit organized gang fraud, criminal conspiracy and money laundering. The judge is particularly suspicious of Telegram’s managers who refused to « Upon request from authorized authorities, communicate information or documents necessary to carry out and utilize legally authorized interceptions ».

READ ALSOTelegram: Pavel Durov, the man who keeps the world’s secrets

Pavel Dourov was arrested on a warrant issued by the Paris prosecutor’s office last March, when the platform had already left « No response » Several requests have been made to the French judicial system. According to the political website, The document also targets Nikolaï Durov, Pavel’s brother and co-founder of the messaging service. « At this stage, the only person involved in the case is Pavel Durov »However, judicial sources specified that the warrant was issued as part of an investigation into the distribution of child pornography.

In addition, a second investigation will be launched against Pavel Durov ‘Severe violence’ towards one of his children Located in Paris, it is managed by the Office of Minors (Ofmin). The actions were allegedly carried out against the billionaire’s son, born in 2017, while he was attending school in Paris. The source familiar with the case continues that the little boy now lives with his mother in Switzerland, where his mother filed a lawsuit in 2023 accusing her ex-partner of violence against one of her children.

The arrest of Pavel Durov, who had lived in Dubai for several years, has sparked strong reactions around the world. « Telegram complies with European law, including the Digital Services Regulation, and its moderation practices are consistent with industry standards », Sunday night defending myself On your own channel, judge « It is absurd to say that the platforms or their bosses are responsible for abuse » Recorded on the platform. He is “absurd” Pavel Durov may be “hint” His lawyers reacted after he was indicted regarding the crimes allegedly committed through his messages.