CEO Pavel Durov Arrested in France, Telegram Turns Out to Have IDR 6.2 Trillion in Crypto Assets

Previously, billionaire founder of the Telegram platform, Pavel Durov was under official investigation and was not allowed to leave France, following his detention last week.

Quoting CNN, Friday (30/8/2024), French prosecutors revealed that the Russian-born billionaire was being investigated for several alleged violations related to criminal activity on Telegram, including involvement in illegal transactions, money laundering from criminal proceeds in organized groups.

Pavel Durov must now remain in the country under court supervision, with bail set at $5.56 million, and is required to report to French police twice a week. Durov was released from police custody in France the previous day and transferred to court for questioning, prosecutors said, days after his dramatic arrest at a Paris airport.

The prosecutor’s office also said France’s National Office for Minors had reported to the prosecutor’s office about Telegram’s “almost non-response” to court requests related to violations ranging from human trafficking to hate speech.

Chronology of Telegram Boss Pavel Durov Detained in France

Pavel Durov was arrested at Paris Bourget Airport last week on a warrant related to Telegram’s lack of moderation. He is being investigated on charges related to a number of crimes, including allegations that his platform is involved in aiding fraudsters, drug dealers and people who distribute pornography.

He was held for up to 96 hours, the maximum amount of time a person can be held under French law before being charged.

Durov’s arrest has sparked debate about the issue of free speech, and has raised particular concerns in Ukraine and Russia, where the Telegram platform is hugely popular and has become a key communication tool among military personnel and citizens.