The tech billionaire, who was detained in France last year for his role in a criminal probe into Telegram, thanks his legal team and emphasizes the app’s commitment to fighting crime.
Telegram founder Pavel Durov has returned to Dubai after a dramatic arrest last year near Paris, following a criminal investigation into illegal activities allegedly facilitated through the popular encrypted messaging app.
Durov, who left Russia years ago after falling out with the Kremlin over free speech, was detained in August 2024 at Le Bourget airport in Paris. French authorities accused him of being complicit in widespread criminal activities on Telegram, including child exploitation and drug trafficking. The tech billionaire was swiftly released on a $5.6 million bail, with the condition to report to the police station twice a week.
In a post shared on his app, Durov revealed that the investigation is ongoing but expressed relief at returning home. “It feels great to be home,” he wrote, thanking the investigative judges, his legal team, and supporters for their efforts. Durov also reiterated that Telegram has consistently met legal obligations in moderating its platform and combatting crime.
The charges stem from the use of Telegram by criminal groups and extremist organizations, including the Islamic State and white nationalist groups, as well as the spread of QAnon and COVID-19 conspiracy theories. Despite the criminal activity, Durov has defended Telegram’s role, arguing that he should not be held personally responsible for crimes committed by third parties on the platform.
“Using laws from the pre-smartphone era to charge a CEO with crimes committed by third parties on the platform he manages is a misguided approach,” Durov wrote in a post after his initial questioning. “No innovator will ever build new tools if they know they can be personally held responsible for potential abuse of those tools.”
Telegram, which has become an essential communication tool in the Russia-Ukraine war, has been praised for its role in sending out air raid warnings, documenting war atrocities, and enabling communications for pro-democracy groups worldwide. However, its encryption technology has made it a haven for illicit activity, drawing criticism from governments and law enforcement agencies globally.
Durov’s commitment to free speech and his refusal to comply with the Russian government’s demands to censor content on his other app, VKontakte, has led to multiple confrontations with authorities. His platform, which is often referred to as the “Russian Facebook,” was blacklisted by the Russian state after Durov refused to shut down activist groups, including one led by the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
Despite the legal challenges and global scrutiny, Durov has remained steadfast in his defense of Telegram, positioning the app as a free speech tool, even as it grapples with its darker uses.
Durov’s return to Dubai marks a new chapter in his ongoing legal battle. While the French investigation continues, he remains defiant, asserting that his platform has exceeded legal expectations when it comes to moderation and the fight against crime.
As Telegram continues to navigate its complex position as a tool for both activism and criminal activity, Durov’s legal saga is likely far from over. However, for now, the founder is back in Dubai, where he can focus on the ongoing development of his platform amid the ever-increasing challenges of global tech regulation.
