Paris Court Explains Why It's Arrested Telegram Founder Pavel Durov

On August 24, Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of messaging app Telegram, was arrested by French authorities. The secrecy surrounding pre-trial investigations is an essential principle in the French judicial system, but this case has garnered significant attention and speculation.

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The Background

The arrest has been linked to issues with Telegram’s moderation processes and its refusal to cooperate with law enforcement agencies, particularly regarding drug trafficking, money laundering, and child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The Paris Criminal Court, which is handling the investigation, may not have anticipated the level of attention that this case would receive.

Elon Musk’s Support

The billionaire owner of X, Elon Musk, posted a ‘#FreePavel’ message on his social media platform. This move has raised questions about the level of support from influential figures in the tech industry.

Romain Dillet’s Expertise

TechCrunch reporter Romain Dillet has been covering this story extensively and brings a deep understanding of the case. With over 12 years of experience at TechCrunch, he is one of the most knowledgeable journalists on the European tech scene.

The Charges Against Pavel Durov

Durov faces charges related to:

Drug Trafficking: Telegram has been accused of not doing enough to prevent the dissemination of information about drug trafficking.
Money Laundering: The platform is alleged to have failed to prevent money laundering activities on its platform.
Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM): Durov has been accused of not taking adequate measures to remove CSAM from the platform.

What’s Next for Pavel Durov?

French authorities can detain and interview Durov for up to 96 hours. After this period, the court will decide whether to formally indict him on some or all of the charges mentioned above. If indicted, the court will also determine if Durov should be detained as a preventive measure.

Durov’s Potential Flight Risk

Given that Durov typically resides in Dubai and holds multiple passports, there is concern about his potential flight risk. The authorities may decide to detain him while the case proceeds to prevent any attempts to flee.

Romain Dillet’s Bio

Romain Dillet is a Senior Reporter at TechCrunch. He has written over 3,000 articles on technology and tech startups, establishing himself as an influential voice on the European tech scene.