- Pavel Durov faces a formal investigation in France for enabling illegal activity via Telegram.
- His legal team is challenging the indictment in both French and European courts.
- Authorities say Telegram’s cooperation has improved since the probe began.
On July 28, Telegram founder Pavel Durov appeared at the Paris courthouse for the third time as French magistrates pressed forward with a formal investigation into his alleged role in facilitating organized crime through the Telegram platform.
According to the report, the 40-year-old tech entrepreneur, who holds both Russian and French passports, is being investigated for complicity in hosting illicit transactions, child exploitation content, and other unlawful material on his widely used messaging service.
Durov, who had been detained in Paris in 2024, arrived with four defense lawyers for a full day of questioning. French authorities have been scrutinizing his handling of Telegram’s moderation policies and its use by criminal networks.
During Monday’s session, Durov reportedly offered extensive explanations to address what his legal team has described as baseless accusations.
His first interrogation in December 2024 highlighted his awareness of rising criminal activity on the platform. At the time, Durov acknowledged the challenge and pledged to improve the platform’s moderation tools.
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Telegram Faces Legal Storm Over Encryption and EU Law
Although Durov denies the charges, French authorities allege that Telegram became a hub for illegal activity due to its encryption and lack of stringent content controls.
Investigators claim that the platform enabled serious infractions, including child abuse image circulation and illicit financial transactions. In response, Durov’s legal team launched a dual-pronged legal defense.
On Monday, his attorneys challenged the validity of the indictment under French constitutional law. They also submitted a request to the European Court of Justice for a preliminary ruling to determine if the case violates broader European legal principles.
This legal move reflects concerns over jurisdiction and digital rights, raising the profile of the case across EU institutions.
Restrictions Eased, But Legal Pressure Grows
Initially banned from leaving France, Durov’s travel restrictions were loosened in early July. He can now reside in the United Arab Emirates for up to two weeks at a time.
Sources connected to organized crime investigations noted that Telegram’s cooperation with French law enforcement has improved since Durov’s arrest. However, the investigation remains active, with potential consequences for how tech platforms handle illegal content across borders.
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