Pavel Durovthe Russian-French billionaire founder and CEO of the messaging app Telegramwas arrested on Friday evening at Le Bourget airport, on the outskirts of Paris. More than 48 hours later, the Paris prosecutor’s office clarified in a statement that Durov He is being investigated for up to twelve criminal charges. for failing to take action to prevent the use of Telegram for criminal purposes, including complicity in possession of child pornography or drug trafficking.
The prosecutor explains that the founder of the messaging application was arrested last Saturday in the context of a judicial investigation opened on July 8, 2024, following a preliminary hearing initiated by Section 13-JUNALCO (Fight against Cybercrime) of the Paris Prosecutor’s Office.
The text lists the charges against him. Durovamong them complicity in possession of child pornography, drug trafficking or organized fraud. In addition, there are charges of criminal association with a view to committing a crime punishable by 5 or more years in prison and laundering of profits derived from organized crime.
Finally, he is accused of having refused to communicate to the authorities “the information or documents necessary to carry out the actions authorized by law.”
The controversy over the arrest of the founder of Telegram in France has forced the latter to Emmanuel Macron having to clarify the reasons for his arrest on Monday. “It is not at all a political decision, “It took place in the context of an ongoing judicial investigation,” the French president explained in a message on his X profile on Monday.
“It is up to the judges to decide”Macron added in a message in which he stressed that it is the judicial system that must enforce the law “in complete independence.”
Durov, 39, was arrested on Friday evening upon arriving at the private airport of Le Bourget, near Paris, and His arrest was extended on Sunday night by a judge.
“False information has been circulating”
Macron has denounced that “False information” has been circulating around this arrest and stressed that France is committed to the freedom of expression and communicationinnovation and entrepreneurship, and “will continue to be so.”
“In a state governed by the rule of law, both on social media and in real life, freedoms are exercised within a framework established by law to protect citizens and respect their rights,” the French president insisted.
On the other hand, the head of the Ministry of the Interior’s office in charge of combating violence against minors (OFMIN), stressed on Monday that Durov’s arrest is based on the Lack of action by the platform, especially in the fight against paedophilia.
“At the heart of this case is the lack of moderation and cooperation on the part of the platform (which has nearly one billion users), particularly in the fight against crime against children,” said OFMIN Secretary General Jean Michel Bernigaud in a message on LinkedIn.
The OFMIN is at the origin of the French arrest warrant based on a preliminary investigation.
Telegram, an encrypted messaging network, claimed that Durov “has nothing to hide” and complies “with the laws of the European Union.”
“Telegram complies with EU laws, including the Digital Services Act: its moderation is within industry standards and is constantly improving,” the network added in a statement.
Durov, a Russian-born billionaire who holds UAE, Russian and French nationality, resides in Dubai.
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