In an investigation into organized crime on the messaging app, a French judge placed Telegram CEO Pavel Durov under formal investigation on Wednesday. However, the entrepreneur was given bail, subject to three conditions: he must pay 5 million euros, report to police twice a week, and remain inside French territory.
Pavel Durov telegram
The judge determined that there were sufficient grounds to legally examine Durov on all of the counts for which he was first detained four days ago, according to a statement from Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau. These include alleged collusion in the operation of an illicit transaction-enabling website, pictures of child sex abuse, drug trafficking, and fraud, in addition to the denial of information to law enforcement, money laundering, and lending criminals access to cryptographic services. An inquiry for comment was not immediately answered by Durov’s attorney. In France, being the subject of a formal inquiry does not automatically signify guilt or result in a trial; rather, it signifies that judges believe there is sufficient evidence to move forward with the investigation. Before being put on trial or being shelved, investigations can go on for years. The Russian-born Durov was taken into custody on Saturday night at an airport close to Paris, prompting the judge’s ruling. The question of where the boundaries between law enforcement and free expression are has been heightened by Durov’s imprisonment. It also serves as a reminder to internet giants who refuse to cooperate with authorities over alleged illegality on their platforms. It is emphasizing the tense relationship governments have with Telegram. It has close to 1 billion members.
