In France, Telegram CEO faces preliminary charges for alleged criminal activities on the app

(MENAFN) Pavel Durov, CEO of popular social media platform Telegram, is currently on trial in France on charges of allowing criminal activities on the messaging app. French authorities reportedly accuse Telegram of being involved in promoting various illegal activities, including child sexual abuse material, drug trafficking, fraud and money laundering. The charges come amid claims that the company has failed to cooperate with investigators, a British news agency reported.

Telegram has vehemently denied these allegations, claiming that its moderation policies are fully compliant with EU regulations and in line with industry standards. The company has called the allegations against it “absurd” and argued that it is inappropriate to hold a platform or its owner accountable for criminals' misuse of the service. This defense underscores Telegram's stance that it is not responsible for the illegal actions of its users.

Durov, who was born in Russia but has been a French citizen since 2021, was arrested upon arrival on his private jet at Le Bourget airport near Paris. After his arrest, French judicial authorities banned him from leaving the country while the investigation is ongoing. Despite the legal restrictions, Durov managed to avoid a prison sentence by posting a substantial bail of 5 million euros (over 5.5 billion USD).

The arrest has sparked considerable controversy, with Russia calling it politically motivated. This reaction underscores the high profile nature of the case and the geopolitical tensions it entails. The situation continues to evolve as the legal proceedings and diplomatic responses continue.

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