An insider revealed that Pavel Durov, CEO of the instant messaging platform Telegram, was formally questioned for the first time in front of a Paris judge, as part of a criminal investigation into the platform's alleged assistance in illegal activities.
Durov, along with his lawyers David-Olivier Kaminski and Christophe Ingrain, arrived at the Paris court. He told reporters that he "trusts the French judicial system," but did not comment further on the legal proceedings.
The founder of Telegram was arrested at Paris's Bourget Airport in August, detained for four days, and subsequently charged with organized crime. The prosecutor accused him of failing to take adequate measures to prevent criminal activities and the spread of illegal content on Telegram.
After his release, the authorities imposed strict judicial supervision, including a bail of 5 million euros, mandatory bi-weekly check-ins at the police station, and restrictions on leaving France.
Kaminski stated that Durov's "involvement" in criminal activities conducted through Telegram was "completely absurd."
In a statement in August, Kaminski said: "Telegram complies with European regulations concerning digital technology in all respects."
Impact of the Legal Proceedings
A source close to the investigation told AFP that this legal action prompted Telegram to enhance cooperation with judicial requests from France and other regions.
After his arrest in France, Telegram announced it would begin sharing user data with authorities as part of a broader effort to curb illegal activities. This decision sparked extensive discussions, as the platform acknowledged its commitment to privacy and encrypted messaging.
In his first speech after the arrest, Durov stated that since 2018, Telegram had been sharing IP addresses and phone numbers with authorities for criminal investigations. He insisted that the updated policy did not bring significant changes.
The 40-year-old billionaire, who holds French, Russian, and UAE citizenship, also spoke about his arrest, expressing surprise at being held accountable for content posted by users. He described France's approach as unwise.
However, Durov acknowledged that Telegram's rapid growth made it easier for criminals to misuse the platform.
The cryptocurrency closely associated with Telegram and Durov, Toncoin (TON), plummeted by 30% shortly after Durov's arrest. Although it initially declined, TON has begun to recover, with its current trading price nearing 7 dollars, according to CoinGecko.
The Kremlin's Warning
Russian officials believe that the legal action against Durov is politically motivated rather than purely judicial.
At the end of August, Moscow responded for the first time to Durov's arrest. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned France, considering it an attempt to "intimidate" Durov.
Peskov emphasized that the charges against Durov require equally strong evidence.
French President Macron stated that Durov's arrest was not a political decision but part of a judicial investigation. He reiterated France's commitment to freedom of speech and communication.
