đBREAKING: Telegram CEO charged & Not Allowed To Leave France!
Pavel Durov, the CEO and founder of Telegram, was charged by French authorities on Aug. 28 with multiple criminal offenses linked to his role at the messaging platform. Following his court appearance, Durov was placed under judicial supervision and barred from leaving France. He was released after posting bail of 5 million euros ($5.5 million). A video circulated widely by Russian state-owned news outlet RIA Novosti captured the moment Durov walked free from a Paris courthouse. He had been detained at an airport near Paris on Aug. 24, with French police extending his custody to Aug. 28, when charges were formally brought against him.
The charges against Durov are serious and include complicity in illegal activities, money laundering, criminal association, and providing cryptology services without prior declaration. Prosecutors allege that Durov was complicit in facilitating illicit activities on Telegram, including the spread of child pornography. Additionally, there are reports of separate child abuse allegations against him in Switzerland.
Free speech under fire?
The arrest and subsequent charges have sparked an outcry among Durov's supporters, who argue that the move represents an attack on freedom of expression. With over 900 million monthly active users on Telegram as of 2024, Durov's case raises significant questions about holding messaging app CEOs accountable for the actions of their users. Could this set a legal precedent affecting other social media giants like Mark Zuckerberg or Elon Musk? French President Emmanuel Macron has denied that Durovâs arrest was politically motivated, but many questions remain unanswered. The crypto and tech communities are watching closely as the situation develops, concerned about the broader implications for privacy and free speech in digital spaces.
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