Telegram Founder Durov Allowed to Leave France for Dubai Amid Legal Proceedings

Pavel Durov, the founder of the messaging platform Telegram, has been granted permission to leave France for Dubai for several weeks. This decision comes after modifications to his judicial supervision terms, allowing him to depart from Le Bourget Airport near Paris with the approval of authorities. Durov, a Franco-Russian entrepreneur, was arrested at the same airport in August and charged with complicity in criminal activities related to his encrypted messaging platform. The charges stem from allegations that he failed to act against criminal uses of Telegram.

During his first substantive interrogation on December 6, Durov stated that he did not create Telegram in 2013 with his brother for criminal purposes, while acknowledging that a minimal fraction of users engage in criminal activities. He defended his cooperation with French authorities, claiming that his personal Telegram account and place of residence were known to various officials, including those in the president’s office and the French consul in Dubai.

In recent operations, Telegram reported responding to four legal requests in France during the first quarter of 2024, providing identifying information concerning more than 10,000 users. The investigating judge noted this figure’s relative scale against Telegram’s claimed 950 million users. When initially indicted, Durov maintained he had always been available and ready to respond to all requests from France. He told investigating judges he had become aware in police custody of the seriousness of the facts attributed to his platform and promised to improve its moderation.

Durov's departure from France marks a significant development in his legal proceedings. The judge's decision to allow him to leave the country for a temporary period indicates a level of cooperation and trust between Durov and the French authorities. This move also suggests that Durov may have provided sufficient information or taken steps to address the concerns raised by the authorities, as he had previously announced measures that appeared to comply with Paris's demands.

The Telegram founder had initially criticized his arrest but later expressed understanding of the seriousness of the allegations against him. In January, Durov told investigating magistrates in France that he realized the gravity of the charges, which may have influenced the judge's decision to modify his supervision conditions. This shift in Durov's stance could be seen as an effort to mitigate the legal challenges he faces and to demonstrate his willingness to work with the authorities.

Durov's departure for Dubai, a city known for its business-friendly environment, could also be strategic. It allows him to continue his business activities while addressing the legal issues in France. This temporary relocation may provide him with the flexibility to manage his responsibilities at Telegram while navigating the complexities of his legal situation. The decision to allow Durov to leave France for several weeks underscores the evolving nature of his legal proceedings and the potential for further developments in the coming weeks.