Pavel Durov, co-founder and CEO of the messaging app Telegram, announced that he is required to regularly return to France every 14 days due to the ongoing criminal investigation concerning the use of Telegram by third parties to coordinate criminal activities. Durov emphasized that there is still no evidence of his guilt or that of the platform itself.
This is reported by Business • Media
Details of the Arrest and Durov’s Position
In August 2024, Pavel Durov was arrested in France after suspicions arose that third-party users were using Telegram to coordinate crimes. The entrepreneur spent four days in detention, but the investigation found no evidence of his wrongdoing. According to Durov, the French police had failed to follow official procedures for several years and did not send legitimate requests to Telegram, which led to the wrongful arrest.
“The arrest of the CEO of a major platform for the actions of its users was not only unprecedented — it was legally and logically absurd,” Durov wrote on his Telegram channel.
Further Developments in the Case
A year has passed since the arrest, yet Pavel Durov continues to comply with the French authorities’ requirement to return to France every two weeks. He noted that there is still no set date for an appeal, and the prolonged uncertainty has negatively impacted France’s image as a democratic country.
In June 2025, the French authorities relaxed the terms of Durov’s supervision, allowing him to visit Dubai. However, the requirement for regular returns to France remains in effect.