A French judge formally charged Pavel Durov, the head of Telegram, on Wednesday. This decision is part of an investigation into organised crime on the messaging platform. Durov can avoid pretrial detention by paying a 5 million euro bail, reporting to the police twice a week, and staying within French borders.
The judge’s decision followed Durov’s arrest at an airport near Paris four days earlier. Being under formal investigation in France does not indicate guilt or guarantee a trial. It merely suggests that judges believe there is sufficient evidence to continue with the investigation. These probes can take years before they either go to trial or are dismissed.
Durov’s arrest has brought attention to the criminal responsibility of messaging app providers and sparked discussions on the balance between freedom of speech and law enforcement. This incident also highlights the tense relationship between governments and Telegram, which boasts nearly 1 billion users.
🚨 BREAKING: Telegram CEO Pavel @durov has been released from custody after posting €5,000,000 bail. pic.twitter.com/Nn52j4Kt9k
— Cointelegraph (@Cointelegraph) August 28, 2024
What Other Media Are Saying
- NPR reports Pavel Durov, Telegram’s CEO, has been released from French custody after a four-day detention and is now facing a judge for possible indictment.(read more)
- The source name is Economic Times. The article discusses French authorities charging Telegram CEO Pavel Durov in a probe into organized crime on the app, highlighting the balance between freedom of speech and law enforcement.(read more)
- The Verge reports that Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has been charged in France for enabling illegal transactions and distributing child sexual abuse material.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Why was Pavel Durov placed under formal investigation?
He’s being investigated for alleged organised crime activities on Telegram.
Can Pavel Durov avoid pretrial detention?
Yes, by paying 5 million euros bail, reporting to police twice a week, and not leaving France.
Does being placed under formal investigation mean Durov is guilty?
No, it means there’s enough evidence to proceed with the investigation.
How long can the investigation into Pavel Durov last?
Investigations can last years before going to trial or being shelved.
How many users does Telegram have?
Telegram has close to 1 billion users.