Telegram Founder Released from Jail After Paying Huge Bail
Telegram founder Pavel Durov has been released from custody in France after paying €5 million in bail. He has been charged with 12 counts, including trading in illegal substances via Telegram.
The French prosecutor’s office announced the release of Pavel Durov from custody. The creator of Telegram was ordered to pay bail of 5 million euros and submit to court supervision. He is required to report to a police station twice a week. He was also banned from leaving the country.
Pavel Durov was released from custody
On Wednesday, August 28, Durov was charged with 12 counts. He was accused of participating in the management of the Telegram internet platform, which investigators believe was conducted to facilitate illegal transactions by an organized criminal group.
He was also accused of participating in the distribution of child pornography images of minors by an organized group and of drug trafficking.
Pavel Durov arrested
The arrest of Pavel Durov was reported on the night of Saturday, August 24 by French television stations TF1 and BFM. The Dubai-based creator of the Telegram internet messenger was allegedly detained at around 8 p.m. at Bourget Airport near Paris after returning from a trip to Azerbaijan.
Both stations reported that the basis of the investigation in connection with which Pavel Durov was detained was the lack of moderation in the Telegram messenger he owns and the lack of cooperation on this matter with the French authorities. The police believe that this allows for constant criminal activity – including terrorist activity – on the application.
French President on Durov’s arrest
The French president issued a statement on August 26 regarding the arrest of Telegram’s founder. The politician emphasized that “France is deeply committed to freedom of speech, communication, innovation and the spirit of entrepreneurship – and will remain so.” “In a state of law, freedoms are maintained within a legal framework, both on social media and in everyday life, in order to protect citizens and respect their fundamental rights,” he noted.
Macron pointed out that “the enforcement of the law is the responsibility of the judiciary, which is completely independent.” He assured that the arrest “was in no way a political decision.” “The arrest of the Telegram CEO on French soil took place as part of an ongoing judicial investigation. It is up to the judges to decide on this matter,” he argued.
