Telegram founder Pavel Durov has been allowed to leave France temporarily, where he was charged with several crimes related to enabling organized crime, according to sources.
Durov, 40, was arrested at Le Bourget Airport outside Paris in August 2024 and charged with not doing enough to stop extremist and terrorist content on Telegram. His arrest was the first instance of a social media founder being held responsible for content on his site.
Durov Released on Bail, Permitted to Travel
After days of interrogation, officials accused Durov of a number of offenses and released him on a €5 million ($5.6 million) bail. He was first prohibited from leaving France but left for Dubai on Saturday with government sanction.
“He left France today morning,” AFP was informed by a source, confirming his departure from Le Bourget Airport for Dubai, the headquarters of Telegram. Another source said an investigating judge had authorised Durov to leave France for “several weeks.”
A Telegram spokesman refused to comment, and Durov’s lawyers were not available for comment immediately.
Durov Acknowledges the Seriousness of Allegations
Durov, a proclaimed libertarian and defender of online anonymity, has consistently defied government attempts to bring Telegram under state control. Moscow sought to block the app in 2018 but dropped the case later.
Durov initially denounced his arrest, accusing French authorities of failing to warn Telegram about alleged criminal behavior. But excerpts from his December interrogation showed a change of heart.
“It was during the time I was in custody that I understood the gravity of all the charges,” Durov conceded.
The investigators presented him with more than a dozen cases, ranging from child abuse and drug trafficking to arms sales, frauds, and even contracting hitmen.
Political and Industry Responses
French President Emmanuel Macron came to the defense of giving Durov French citizenship, describing it as a “strategy” to win over international tech leaders. Throughout questioning, Durov was said to stress his connections to Macron.
X CEO Elon Musk expressed solidarity with Durov, tweeting under the #FreePavel hashtag. The Kremlin, in turn, cautioned France against making the case “political persecution.”
Durov, who possesses Russian, French, and UAE passports, is famous for his billionaire status and ascetic way of life, advocating ice baths and avoiding alcohol and coffee.
As the legal battle unfolds, Durov’s case continues to fuel debates on free speech, platform responsibility, and government oversight of digital spaces.