Durov Makes Initial Court Appearance in Paris
Pavel Durov, Founder of Telegram, Questions by French Authorities
Pavel Durov, the founder of the popular messaging app Telegram, was questioned by authorities in France on December 6. The questioning took place at an undisclosed location, as specific details about the session have not been disclosed.
The French Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating Durov, who was arrested in France in August 2024. The authorities accused him of operating a platform allegedly enabling illegal transactions. The charges against Durov include aiding in the distribution of narcotics and child pornography.
Durov has denied all charges against him and expressed trust in the French judicial system. He was accompanied by his legal team during the questioning.
Previously, Durov was detained on August 24 at Le Bourget Airport in Paris. Following the December 6 questioning, he was released on bail of €5 million. The bail conditions include reporting to the police twice a week and prohibition from leaving France.
In September, Durov announced enhanced moderation measures for Telegram in response to accusations of facilitating illegal activities on the platform.
It is important to note that Durov has been accused of refusing to provide information requested by authorities on multiple occasions. However, the specifics of these previous accusations have not been disclosed.
The investigation into Durov's activities is ongoing, and further updates are expected to be provided in due course. As always, it is crucial to maintain the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in a court of law.
This news was reported by 20 Minutes, citing AFP. The details of the December 6 questioning remain undisclosed, and Durov has refrained from further comments on the matter.
