Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Returns to Dubai During Ongoing French Investigation

Durov, detained in France last year over alleged criminal activity on Telegram, has been granted temporary permission to leave the country.

Pavel Durov, CEO of Telegram, announced his return to Dubai after spending several months in France under investigation for alleged criminal activity on his messaging platform.
French authorities charged Durov last year with complicity in crimes on Telegram, including child sexual abuse material and drug trafficking, following his arrest near a Paris airport.
Durov was released on $5.6 million bail and had been barred from leaving France, with a requirement to report to a police station twice weekly.
In a Telegram post, Durov defended his company’s moderation efforts, stating that Telegram has consistently exceeded its legal obligations in combating criminal activity.
The investigation highlights growing scrutiny of encrypted platforms like Telegram, which are lauded for their role in global activism but criticized for misuse by extremist groups and criminals.