Pavel Durov, the mastermind behind Telegram, is set to face the music in a French court, following his recent capture in France. According to reports emanating from the Paris prosecutor's office, an investigating judge has ordered Durov's appearance for a grilling, as reported by the German Press Agency.
Post this interrogation, the possibility of launching an investigation against Durov exists. Should sufficient evidence against the alleged offender be unearthed, a full-blown court trial might ensue. On the other hand, the case could be dropped if the evidence falls short.
The accusations against Durov are serious, including allegations of aiding drug trafficking, money laundering, fraud, and child abuse-related offenses. It's claimed that he failed to act upon Telegram and provide sufficient assistance to authorities. The issue of inadequate compliance with lawful surveillance measures also hangs over him.
Durov had been under the radar for some time. He was apprehended at an airport near Paris on Saturday evening.
Telegram has refuted the accusations, asserting that it adheres to all relevant regulations. The firm maintains that Durov "has no secrets to conceal". It also finds it ludicrous to pin the blame on a platform or its owner for the misuse of the service by external entities.
Telegram has been under scrutiny for its lax approach towards curbing hate speech and unlawful activities. The company maintains it is in compliance "with industry norms".
It's worth noting that following the investigation against Durov, Telegram's compliance with lawful surveillance measures could come under the microscope. If Durov is found guilty in court, Telegram might face stricter regulations to prevent future non-compliance issues.
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Recent developments in the French judicial investigation against Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, include:
- Indictment and Charges: Durov has been indicted on charges of failing to curb extremist and illegal content on Telegram, including allegations of drug trafficking, money laundering, fraud, and child sexual abuse material (CSAM) usage. He was detained at Le Bourget airport outside Paris on August 24, 2024, and held for questioning[1].
- Judicial Supervision: Durov is under judicial supervision and is required to report to the police station twice a week. He is also prohibited from leaving France and has been ordered to pay 5 million euros in bail[1].
- Investigation Progress: The investigation is ongoing, and it is not clear whether charges have been formally brought against Durov. However, he has been cooperating with the investigation, providing metadata that aids various investigations, including those related to cybercrime[4].
- Trial Timeline: The trial for Durov is set to begin in 2026, and he will remain in France until then. Discussions about a potential settlement agreement are premature, and Durov will continue to face judicial control during this period[5].
- Cooperation with Authorities: Telegram has begun to cooperate more actively with law enforcement, providing data on approximately 10,000 users to officials worldwide. Durov has stated that his goal is to stop criminals from abusing the Telegram app[4].
In summary, while the trial is set for 2026, the investigation continues, and Durov remains under judicial supervision in France. Telegram has started to cooperate more actively with law enforcement, providing necessary data to aid in the ongoing investigations.
