Pavel Durov Charged With Crimes in France

Pavel Durov, CEO of Telegram, has been charged in France with serious offenses including money laundering, drug trafficking, and distributing child sexual abuse material. Arrested at Le Bourget airport, he has been released on €5 million bail but is prohibited from leaving France and must report to police twice weekly. French prosecutors allege that Telegram's lack of content moderation has facilitated criminal activities, prompting a broader investigation into the platform's compliance with law enforcement. Durov, a Russian-born tech entrepreneur with French citizenship, has denied wrongdoing and stated that he has nothing to hide. The case has raised tensions between France and Russia, with Moscow accusing France of political motivations behind the arrest. French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the independence of the judiciary amid concerns about free speech implications.