Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, has been granted temporary permission to leave France and has taken advantage of this opportunity to travel. However, he is required to return soon as he faces serious allegations in France concerning his messaging platform’s alleged facilitation of organized crime. According to multiple sources familiar with the case, an investigating judge approved his request for a temporary leave of “several weeks.”
Durov, a prominent figure in the technology sector, reportedly departed from Le Bourget airport near Paris, en route to Dubai, where Telegram’s headquarters is located. He expressed his relief about returning to Dubai after spending several months in France under investigation for criminal activities linked to Telegram. Durov acknowledged the support of investigative judges, his legal team, and the global community that stood by him during this challenging time, emphasizing that Telegram has traditionally exceeded its legal responsibilities regarding moderation and crime prevention.
In August 2024, Durov was detained at Le Bourget airport, marking a significant milestone where a social media company founder faced arrest due to content circulated on their platform. With over 900 million active users, Telegram ranks among the world’s most widely used messaging apps. Following his arrest, Durov faced charges for various violations related to extremist content, and after being set free on a €5 million bail, he was initially prohibited from leaving France.
After his arrest, Durov critiqued the French authorities for not informing Telegram about the alleged illegal activities taking place on its platform. Despite his initial stance, he later softened his position. The question remains: will he return to France as expected?