Criminal complaint against Pavel Durov from Telegram “completely absurd”

The French lawyer for Telegram boss Pavel Durov said it was “completely absurd to claim that the boss of a social network” like his client could be involved in criminal activities, Franceinfo and BFM TV reported on Thursday.

“Telegram fully complies with European rules in the digital sphere. It is a moderator whose rules are similar to those of other social networks,” David-Olivier Kaminski told several reporters.

A French judge officially investigated Durov on Wednesday as part of an investigation into organized crime on the messaging app, but released the businessman on bail on the condition that he pay five million euros ($5.6 million), report to police twice a week and stay off French territory.

Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said in a statement that the judge found there were grounds for an official investigation into Durov on all the charges on which he was arrested four days ago.

These include suspicion of complicity in operating an online platform that facilitates illegal transactions, child sexual abuse images, drug trafficking and fraud, as well as refusal to provide information to authorities, money laundering and providing cryptographic services to criminals.

Durov’s lawyer did not immediately respond to a Reuters request seeking comment. With Durov now released on bail, although barred from leaving the country, the next step in the state case against him is now underway.

He will be transferred to another court for questioning and, according to the Paris prosecutor’s office, will face “an initial questioning and possible indictment.” Apparently, the judges believe there is enough evidence against him to justify prosecution.

Durov faces a series of 12 charges, including aiding and abetting the use of the Telegram channel to facilitate illegal online transactions and involvement in child pornography. French authorities also accuse him of drug-related offences, providing tools for cyberattacks, organised gang fraud, criminal associations and money laundering.

With Reuters entries