Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, has returned to Dubai after being allowed to leave France, where he remains under investigation for criminal activity on the messaging platform. This comes after several months of legal issues in France, where he was detained and faced charges linked to Telegram’s role in facilitating illicit content.
Legal Troubles in France
Durov, a Russian-born billionaire who also holds French citizenship, was arrested in August 2023 at Le Bourget airport near Paris. Authorities placed him under formal investigation and imposed travel restrictions, preventing him from leaving the country. In addition to the travel ban, he was required to report to the police twice a week and post €5 million (£4.2 million) in bail.
After several months of legal proceedings, Durov was permitted to leave France on March 15, 2025, following a modification of his bail conditions. His travel restrictions were lifted temporarily, allowing him to remain outside France until April 7. Durov shared his return to Dubai with Telegram users, writing that he had spent several months in France in connection with the ongoing investigation into criminal activities on the platform. “The process is ongoing, but it feels great to be home,” Durov posted, expressing gratitude to both his legal team and investigators for their roles in his departure.
Charges and Global Reactions
The charges against Durov stem from allegations that Telegram failed to curb the spread of child sexual abuse material and other illegal content. The messaging platform, which boasts over 900 million active users worldwide, has long faced scrutiny for its relative lack of content moderation, particularly in comparison to other social media networks.
Durov’s arrest marked the first time a major tech CEO was detained over failures in content moderation, sparking international reactions. Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the actions of French authorities, labeling them “selective.” In contrast, French President Emmanuel Macron defended the granting of French citizenship to Durov in 2021, emphasizing that it was a strategic move to attract global talent to the country.
Elon Musk, the tech billionaire and CEO of Tesla, also expressed his support for Durov. On X (formerly Twitter), Musk posted using the hashtag #FreePavel, rallying support for the Telegram founder. Meanwhile, the Kremlin warned that the case should not be viewed as “political persecution,” highlighting its sensitivity on the international stage.
Telegram’s Response to the Allegations
Since Durov’s detention, Telegram has actively worked to address the concerns raised about its platform’s role in enabling criminal activity. The company has highlighted its ongoing efforts to combat illegal content, reporting that it blocked over 6.1 million groups and channels in 2025 alone. Among the blocked content were 160,000 groups related to child sexual abuse and 57,000 groups linked to terrorism.
Despite these efforts, Durov initially criticized his arrest, claiming that French authorities had not properly informed Telegram about the criminal activities taking place on the platform. However, during questioning, Durov acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations, particularly after being presented with evidence of cases involving child exploitation, drug trafficking, scams, arms deals, and even contract killings. These revelations appear to have changed the tone of his defense, acknowledging that Telegram must do more to prevent illegal activity.
What’s Next for Durov and Telegram?
As Durov remains under investigation, the legal proceedings will continue to unfold, and the international scrutiny of Telegram’s content moderation policies is likely to intensify. Durov’s case has already prompted discussions about the responsibilities of tech CEOs in managing the content shared on their platforms, with many calling for stronger regulation of social media companies to address illegal and harmful content.
For now, Durov and Telegram are working to clean up the platform and prevent similar issues in the future. The company’s commitment to combating crime on its platform will likely be a key factor in any future legal outcomes.
