Telegram founder Pavel Durov again commented on the circumstances of his detention in France, saying that a year after the incident, the situation remains unresolved.
According to the entrepreneur, he was arrested in August 2024 at Le Bourget airport and held for four days because of charges related to the use of Telegram by third parties to coordinate illegal actions. Durov stressed that such a step on the part of the authorities was an unprecedented case when they are trying to bring the CEO of the platform to justice for the actions of its users.
He noted that the investigation is still ongoing and no evidence of violations by him personally or by the company has yet been presented. Telegram, as Durov emphasized, complies with all industry standards of moderation and responds to legally binding requests received from the French authorities.
The entrepreneur paid special attention to legal aspects. According to him, the French police did not send official requests to Telegram until August 2024 as part of the procedure provided for by law. This, in his opinion, indicates serious procedural errors.
Durov said that he still has to return to France every 14 days, which creates significant difficulties in his personal and professional activities. The date of consideration of the appeal remains uncertain.
He also said that the arrest caused serious damage to France's reputation as a democratic country and expressed confidence that the fight for justice will continue.
If Durov's guilt is proven, he faces up to 20 years in prison as a possible accomplice to crimes committed using Telegram. The situation remains the subject of close attention of the global technological and legal community.
