French investigation against Telegram CEO Pavel Durov accused

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has been formally charged by a French investigating judge with facilitating illegal transactions and involvement in the distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). According to reports from NBC News and Le Monde, Durov’s arrest on Saturday came as part of an ongoing investigation into criminal activity on the Telegram platform.

The French authorities have imposed strict conditions on Durov, including judicial supervision and a €5 million bail. He is not allowed to leave France while the investigation continues. In addition to the main charges, Durov is also accused of refusing to cooperate with the authorities during the investigation.

Durov was arrested as he stepped off a plane in Paris following an arrest warrant issued by France’s OFMIN agency, which is responsible for preventing violence against minors. An official from the agency cited Telegram’s “lack of moderation and cooperation” as the reason for the investigation. Although Durov was released from police custody on Wednesday morning, he is expected to appear in court soon where further legal action may be taken.

In response to the allegations, Telegram defended Durov on Sunday, claiming he had “nothing to hide.” The company called the allegations “absurd” and stressed that the platform should not be held responsible for abuse by some of its users. Telegram is widely known as an information hub, especially in countries like Russia. However, due to its minimal moderation policies, it is also known as a platform used by criminal elements.