The detention of Telegram founder Pavel Durov, who was arrested on 12 charges related to organized crime, is scheduled to conclude on Wednesday. This may lead to an indictment, which could elicit further outrage globally.
The French judicial system accuses Telegram of failing to act against the spread of criminal or offensive content on its platform, which boasts over 900 million users. The company has denied these allegations.
Accompanied by his bodyguard and assistant, the 39-year-old Russian billionaire founder of the messaging service was apprehended on Saturday evening at the Bourget airport terminal (north of Paris) under a French search warrant and subsequently taken into custody. Mr. Durov had arrived from Baku and was set to spend at least the night in Paris, where he had intended to have dinner.
His arrest is part of an ongoing judicial investigation initiated against an unidentified individual on July 8, conducted by specialized investigating judges from Paris following a preliminary inquiry by the cybercrime section of the Paris prosecutor’s office.
Complicity?
The investigation particularly addresses the “refusal to provide necessary information for legally authorized interceptions,” complicity in offenses and organized crimes occurring on the platform (including drug trafficking, child pornography, fraud, and money laundering by organized gangs), and “the provision of cryptographic services designed to ensure confidentiality functions without a proper declaration.”
The investigations are being handled by the center for the fight against digital crime (C3N) and the national anti-fraud office (Onaf).
Mr. Durov’s detention, which can last up to 96 hours, has been extended until Wednesday. The investigating judges will then need to decide whether to request that he be brought before the Paris judicial court for a potential indictment, according to a source close to the case.
If indictment occurs and pre-trial detention is requested, a judge in charge of liberties and detention will determine by the end of the day whether to imprison him or place him under judicial supervision. Mr. Durov could also be released from police custody without any legal proceedings at this stage.
Paper airplanes
The arrest of Pavel Durov, who is based in Dubai, has generated significant reactions worldwide. He has garnered support from American whistleblower Edward Snowden and Elon Musk, the American head of X.
In Moscow, State Duma Deputy Speaker Vladislav Davankov and members of his liberal New People party placed paper airplanes shaped like the Telegram logo outside the French embassy on Sunday.
“The accusations made are very serious and demand equally strong evidence,” commented Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday, denouncing it as an “attempt at intimidation.”
Emmanuel Macron assured on Monday that Pavel Durov’s arrest was “in no way a political decision” but part of a judicial investigation, emphasizing that France is “committed to freedom of expression and communication.”
The online messaging service launched by Pavel Durov and his brother Nikolai in 2013, which enables end-to-end encryption for communications and is headquartered in Dubai, has positioned itself in opposition to American platforms criticized for commercially exploiting personal data.
Telegram has pledged to never disclose user information. “Telegram complies with European laws, including the Digital Services Regulation, and its moderation practices align with industry standards,” Telegram stated on its own channel on Sunday evening, describing it as “absurd to claim that a platform or its leader are responsible for the abuses” noted on the platform.
Telegram stated that Pavel Durov holds “dual citizenship of the United Arab Emirates and France,” in addition to his Russian citizenship. The United Arab Emirates announced on Tuesday that it had requested consular access to Pavel Durov in France, indicating it was “closely” monitoring his situation.
Mr. Durov, who established Telegram after leaving Russia a decade ago, has an estimated net worth of $15.5 billion, according to Forbes magazine.
Pavel Durov Arrested: Implications for Telegram and Global Reactions
The custody of Telegram boss Pavel Durov, arrested on 12 charges related to organized crime, is set to end on Wednesday. It could lead to an indictment, which could provoke further angry reactions around the world.
Background of the Arrest
The French justice system accuses Telegram of not taking sufficient action against the dissemination of criminal or offending content on its platform, which boasts over 900 million users. Telegram has categorically denied these allegations.
Pavel Durov, the 39-year-old Russian billionaire founder of the messaging service, was apprehended on Saturday evening at the Bourget airport terminal in north Paris under a French search warrant while arriving from Baku. He was reportedly in Paris for a dinner engagement before the arrest occurred.
This arrest is part of a judicial investigation launched on July 8, focusing on an unknown individual and led by specialized judges from Paris, following a preliminary inquiry by the cybercrime section of the Paris prosecutor’s office.
Charges Against Pavel Durov
The charges against Durov include various allegations:
- Failure to communicate necessary information for legally authorized interceptions.
- Complicity in offenses such as drug trafficking, child pornography, fraud, and money laundering organized through the platform.
- Provision of cryptography services that ensure confidentiality without proper declaration.
The investigation is being handled by the French Center for the fight against digital crime (C3N) and the National Anti-Fraud Office (Onaf).
Mr. Durov’s custody has been extended, and judges will soon determine if he should face the Paris judicial court for possible indictment. The options include:
- Pre-trial detention followed by a trial.
- Judicial supervision.
- Release from police custody without formal charges.
Global Reaction to Arrest
The arrest of Pavel Durov has ignited significant reactions globally. Prominent figures like Edward Snowden, the American whistleblower currently living in Russia, and Elon Musk, CEO of X (formerly Twitter), have expressed their support for Durov.
In Moscow, members of the liberal New People party displayed paper airplanes representing the Telegram logo outside the French embassy as a form of protest. According to Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the accusations against Durov are highly serious and necessitate significant evidence.
Official Stance from France
French President Emmanuel Macron clarified that the arrest is strictly a judicial matter, asserting France’s commitment to freedom of expression and communication.
Impact on Telegram’s Reputation
Founded in 2013 by Pavel Durov and his brother Nikolai, Telegram has distinguished itself from American platforms criticized for exploiting user data. With the company’s headquarters in Dubai, it has taken a firm stance on user privacy, pledging never to disclose user information.
Telegram maintains compliance with European laws, including the Digital Services Regulation, and the company reiterated its moderation practices align with industry standards. Durov described the idea that he or his platform are responsible for abuses as “absurd.”
Durov’s Citizenship and UAE Involvement
Telegram claims that Pavel Durov holds dual citizenship in the United Arab Emirates and France, alongside his Russian citizenship. The UAE has requested consular access to Durov and indicated that they are closely monitoring his situation.
Pavel Durov’s Wealth and Influence
With an estimated net worth of $15.5 billion, according to Forbes, Durov’s influence extends beyond the digital realm. As the founder of Telegram, he has positioned himself as a key player in advocating for privacy in digital communication.
Understanding the Legal Framework
In the context of this case, it’s vital to understand the legal framework surrounding digital communication platforms:
| Legal Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Privacy Protections | Regulations ensuring user data is not exploited or sold. |
| Content Moderation | Obligations to manage illegal or harmful content effectively. |
| Cyber Crime Laws | National and international laws addressing digital crimes and their prosecution. |
Practical Implications for Users and Platforms
As the situation unfolds, it’s important for users of Telegram and other platforms to consider the following:
- Understand the privacy policies and legal obligations of the platforms they use.
- Stay informed about changes in regulations affecting digital communication.
- Be mindful of the repercussions related to the content shared on these platforms.
Assessing the Future of Digital Messaging
The repercussions of Durov’s arrest could influence the future landscape of digital messaging platforms. Telegram, known for its strong stance on privacy, may face scrutiny that could impact user trust and the platform’s operational model. Users and stakeholders in the digital space should remain vigilant about emerging trends and regulations that could alter the future of digital communication.
