Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Detained, Faces Criminal Charges in France

Telegram founder Pavel Durov has publicly addressed his August 2024 detention in France, expressing confusion and frustration over the legal actions against him and Telegram. Despite being indicted on multiple charges including complicity in criminal activity, money laundering, and refusal to respond to French authorities, Durov denies any wrongdoing and insists that Telegram has fully complied with all legally binding requests. He criticizes the French legal process as lacking transparency and suggests the charges reflect an overly broad interpretation of complicity, especially given Telegram's scale and rigorous compliance efforts audited by a Big Four accounting firm. Durov remains under judicial control in France, unable to freely leave the country, which has affected his personal life, including visits to his ill mother and children. He also challenges the notion that Telegram facilitates criminal activity, contrasting it with smaller illicit platforms previously targeted by law enforcement. The ongoing investigation and restrictions have sparked significant public interest, including petitions supporting Durov’s release, while the interview with Tucker Carlson revealed tensions around the legal and political implications of the case.