Telegram: Two Years After His Arrest, Pavel Durov Accuses France

Pavel Durov strikes back. Two years after his arrest at Bourget, the founder of Telegram claims that the French investigation into his responsibility for the criminal activities of certain users is part of a broader pattern of political pressure. This interpretation is firmly contested by the French authorities, while the judicial proceedings remain open. The floor is now for the defense. Key points of this article:

• Two years after his arrest at Bourget, Pavel Durov challenged the French investigation, labeling it as political pressure.

• The French judiciary has maintained its accusations against the founder of Telegram, despite the gradual easing of imposed constraints.

Pavel Durov was arrested on August 24, 2024 upon his arrival at Bourget Airport from Azerbaijan. After a police custody that can legally last up to 96 hours, he was charged on August 28.

The proceedings notably involve suspicions of complicity in managing a platform that facilitates illicit transactions, the dissemination of child pornography, drug trafficking, fraud, and money laundering. The judiciary also accuses him of refusing to provide certain information requested by the authorities.

Pavel Durov was released on a bail of 5 million euros, with a prohibition on leaving France and an obligation to regularly report to the police station. These constraints were gradually relaxed, before travel and reporting restrictions were completely lifted in November 2025. However, his indictment and the investigation remain in effect and do not prejudge his guilt.

In his message published on X, the leader believes that the procedure is losing its coherence over time. He asserts that Telegram moderated no less effectively than other major platforms and did not cooperate less with the authorities.

Pavel Durov suspects political pressure {#h-pavel-durov-suspects-political-pressure}

The founder of Telegram is now going further. According to him, several governments are discreetly asking the platform to grant << political favors >>, notably in the form of censorship or illegal surveillance measures. After a refusal, media outlets and non-governmental organizations would launch campaigns portraying Telegram as a haven for criminals.

Pavel Durov does not directly present the French investigation as political, but claims that it fits this pattern and << raises questions >>. He had already accused French services of requesting the removal of conservative voices in Romania, and then of certain channels in Moldova during elections.

The General Directorate for External Security (DGSE) has acknowledged meeting with Pavel Durov, but denies having requested the censorship of accounts related to an electoral process. It asserts that the discussions were solely about combating terrorism and child pornography content. Emmanuel Macron also assured as early as 2024 that the arrest was part of an independent judicial investigation and not a political decision.

He finally invokes the recent decision of the Constitutional Council, which censored the ban on social networks for those under 15 years old in the name of freedom of communication. However, this decision does not concern his judicial case.

Thus, two narratives continue to oppose each other: that of an investigation into the responsibility and cooperation of Telegram, and that of an attempt to pressure a platform resistant to censorship. Only the continuation of the investigation will determine whether the case will lead to a trial or a dismissal, but Mr. Durov already has his own idea.

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