French authorities have uncovered charges against Pavel Durov, who was arrested on August 24 at Le Bourget airport near Paris.
Durov faces a number of serious charges, including complicity in child exploitation, drug trafficking and other organised crime, marking a significant escalation in a judicial investigation that has attracted international attention.
The full list of charges includes:
• Operation of an online platform that facilitates illegal transactions as part of an organized group
• Refusal to provide requested information and documents necessary for the investigation of crimes.
• Storage and distribution of child pornography in an organized group
• Participation in illegal drug trafficking
• Provision of tools and data for illegal access to automated data processing systems
• Organized fraud
• Criminal association for the commission of crimes punishable by imprisonment for a term of five years or more
• Money laundering linked to organised crime
• Providing cryptographic services without appropriate certification
• Import of cryptographic means without prior declaration
The investigation, which began on July 8, is being led by the Cybercrime Unit (JUNALCO) of the Paris Public Prosecutor's Office. It is directed against an unnamed person and accuses Durov of using the app as a platform to facilitate illegal transactions, possessing and distributing child pornography, and participating in drug trafficking.
Additional charges include obstructing law enforcement by refusing to provide material information needed to conduct investigations.
According to the press release, Durov is currently being held under organized crime laws, which allow him to be held until August 28.
The messenger was created in 2013 as a platform committed to free speech and privacy. However, the platform's minimal moderation has drawn criticism, with experts noting that it has become a haven for extremists, scammers, and other illegal actors.
