Authorities in Paris say Telegram has allowed cybercriminals and drug dealers to operate with impunity
The Paris prosecutor's office has unveiled a list of possible charges against Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov, ranging from drug trafficking and money laundering to facilitating the distribution of child pornography.
The 39-year-old Russian, who also holds French, UAE, Sao Cristovao and Nevis citizenship, was arrested by French authorities on Saturday after arriving in Paris from Azerbaijan at a private location.
In a press release from the second exhibition, promoter Laure Becquaw said Durov was arrested as part of a larger criminal investigation against an individual. “A person without a name.” As part of this investigation, 12 charges will be considered against Durov, including facilitating drug distribution, capital transfer, organized crime and assisting in the distribution of child pornography.
The businessman is also under investigation for refusing to cooperate with investigations into cybercrimes and financial crimes, Bekwao said.
Criminal investigations in France are conducted only by special judges, and charges like those against Durov are often announced before investigators have finished gathering evidence. Investigations can take years, and charges can be withdrawn at any time if insufficient evidence of a crime is found.
The investigation, which was launched in the past by the French anti-crime and anti-fraud offices, was published in a press release.
The telegram came in a statement on Sunday. “It is ridiculous to assert that the platform or its owner is responsible for misuse of the platform.” O Telegram complies with local laws, including the European Union's Lei dos Direitos Digitais (DSA) and anti-Russian sanctions, which increases the company's size.
Telegram, which has a large user base, generally refuses to hand over user data or logs to authorities. Durov said this focus on user privacy was aimed at intelligence agencies around the world, alleging in an April interview that the FBI tried to recruit one of its officials to install an unenforceable backdoor that would allow spying on Telegram users.
Anti-censorship activists denounce Durov's imprisonment as part of a broader crackdown on free speech by Western governments, such as NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden. accused French from Levar or businessman “review” To access private communications on Telegram. Owner
In a social media post at the second exhibition, French President Emmanuel Macron insisted that Durov was a prisoner. “It is not a political decision in any way.” This happened as part of “Judicial investigation in Andamanzo.”
“France is more than ever linked to freedom of expression, communication, innovation and entrepreneurship.” Macron is on the rise.
