France on Thursday (August 28) charged Telegram CEO Pavel Durov with multiple violations related to the messaging app, including permitting child pornography and drug trafficking, and imposed a travel ban preventing him from leaving the country. Despite these charges, Durov was released after four days of questioning.

Durov, who was detained last Saturday at Le Bourget airport near Paris, was released on Wednesday after four days of questioning. The charges include complicity in managing an online platform that allegedly facilitated illicit transactions by an organized group—a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a €500,000 fine.

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Investigation and legal action

The preliminary charges, filed by investigative judges, are part of a broader investigation that began earlier this year. Durov, who holds French citizenship along with multiple other nationalities, has been ordered to remain in France pending further investigation. He was also required to pay €5 million in bail and report to a police station twice a week.

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The Paris prosecutor’s office stated that the allegations against Durov stem from his platform being used for distributing child sexual abuse material and drug trafficking. Moreover, Telegram allegedly refused to provide information to investigators when required by law. While Durov’s lawyer, David-Olivier Kaminski, called the charges “absurd,” prosecutors noted that, for now, Durov is the only person implicated in this case.

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Global reactions

Durov’s arrest has sparked international reactions, with various governments and free speech advocates speaking in his defence. In Russia, where Durov previously faced pressure from authorities, some officials have denounced the arrest as politically motivated, highlighting what they perceive as a double standard in the West’s approach to freedom of speech.

The controversy has also drawn attention in Iran, where Telegram is widely used despite being officially banned. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, indirectly praised France for its strict governance of the internet.

French President Emmanuel Macron, addressing the situation, insisted that Durov’s arrest was part of an independent investigation and not politically motivated. Macron emphasised that while France is committed to freedom of expression, this freedom must be exercised within a legal framework to protect citizens’ rights.

Telegram’s response

Telegram, in a statement, asserted that it complies with EU laws and continuously improves its moderation practices. The platform, which has nearly a billion users worldwide, expressed hope for a swift resolution of the situation.

Durov’s arrest comes against the backdrop of his complex personal history. A dual citizen of Russia and France, as well as the UAE and St. Kitts and Nevis, Durov has long been an advocate for digital privacy. He co-founded Telegram after selling his stake in VKontakte, a Russian social networking site, under pressure from Russian authorities during a crackdown following mass pro-democracy protests in Moscow in 2011-2012.

Telegram remains a crucial platform for communication in conflict zones, including Ukraine, where it is used by both media outlets and officials to disseminate information and issue alerts.

(With agency inputs)