Pavel Durov Leaves France Amid Telegram Legal Battle

French Authorities Allow Telegram Founder to Depart for Dubai

Pavel Durov, the Franco-Russian founder of Telegram, has left France for Dubai under modified judicial supervision, temporarily lifting the travel restrictions placed on him following his arrest in August 2024. French authorities granted him permission to depart, and on March 15, 2025, he boarded a flight from Le Bourget Airport near Paris with official approval. This decision follows months of legal entanglement that kept him confined to France after he was placed under formal investigation and released on a €5 million bail.

Durov faces serious charges in France, with authorities accusing Telegram of facilitating child sexual abuse material (CSAM) distribution, drug trafficking, and organized fraud while failing to cooperate with law enforcement. The allegations stem from concerns over Telegram’s content moderation policies, which prosecutors argue have allowed illicit activities to flourish. Investigators claim the platform has not done enough to provide user data when requested, intensifying scrutiny over its operations.

During a Paris court appearance in December 2024, Durov acknowledged the severity of the accusations but maintained that he had only fully grasped the extent of the criminal activities on Telegram after his police custody. In response, he vowed to strengthen the platform’s moderation policies, citing Telegram’s existing efforts to curb illegal content. He reported that the company removes between 15 to 20 million user accounts and shuts down 1 to 2 million channels and groups monthly for violations. 

To reinforce its stance, Telegram updated its FAQ section to highlight its proactive approach in removing CSAM, terrorist propaganda, and fraudulent schemes. The company also disclosed that it provided identifying information on over 10,000 users in the first half of 2024, a figure French investigators challenged as insufficient given Telegram’s 950 million-user base.

On March 17, 2025, Durov defended Telegram’s actions, stating that the platform had consistently exceeded legal obligations in content moderation and crime prevention. He criticized French authorities for failing to communicate their concerns effectively, despite having direct access to him through official channels, including the president’s office and intelligence agencies.

Telegram, despite recently reporting its first-ever annual net profit in late 2024, continues to grapple with financial hurdles, carrying $2 billion in debt that could affect its long-term sustainability. Following the news of Durov’s departure from France, Toncoin (TON), a cryptocurrency linked to Telegram, surged by 19% but later retraced some gains, now up 3.32% on the day at $3.49.

Upon arriving in Dubai, where Telegram’s headquarters are based, Durov expressed relief and gratitude to supporters worldwide, emphasizing the resilience of Telegram’s vast user community. “I’m deeply grateful for the millions of people around the world who have shown their support throughout this unexpected journey—it has meant a lot. There is nothing our billion-strong community can’t overcome,” he stated. The TON Foundation also stood behind Durov, reaffirming its support for his commitment to online privacy and free speech.

This article has been refined and enhanced by ChatGPT.