Pavel Durov, the Russian-born founder and CEO of Telegram, said on Monday that he had returned to Dubai. Durov was arrested at an airport near Paris last August and was subsequently placed under formal investigation and banned from leaving France, reported by Reuters.
French authorities have allowed Pavel Durov, the Russian-born founder and CEO of Telegram, to temporarily leave France as part of a relaxation of his obligations as part of an investigation into criminal activity at the messaging app. Durov was arrested at an airport near Paris last August and was subsequently placed under formal investigation and banned from leaving France.
Durov: $5.4 million bail
The investigation has further strained relations between Paris and Moscow amid the war in Ukraine and has fueled debate about the limits of free speech and law enforcement on online platforms. An investigating judge has granted Durov permission to leave France for several weeks. French prosecutors said last year that they suspect Durov of complicity in running an online platform that enables a range of illegal activities, including drug trafficking and money laundering.
Durov also had to pay a bail of 5 million euros ($5.4 million). Being under formal investigation in France does not mean an admission of guilt or necessarily leads to a trial, but it indicates that judges believe there is enough evidence to continue the investigation.
Durov thanked his lawyers
Durov said he had spent several months in France “due to an investigation related to the activities of criminals on Telegram. The process is ongoing, but it is great to be home.”
“I want to thank the investigative judges for letting this happen, as well as my lawyers and team for their relentless efforts in demonstrating that, when it comes to moderation, cooperation, and fighting crime, for years Telegram not only met but exceeded its legal obligations,” he said.
Pavel Durov also noted that he is deeply grateful for the millions of people around the world who have supported him, and it means a lot to him. “There is nothing that our billion-strong community cannot overcome,” Durov noted.