Telegram founder Pavel Durov has been granted permission by a French court to temporarily leave France and travel to Dubai, according to a report by Barron’s.
Durov Departs France Amid Ongoing Legal Battle
A source familiar with the case told AFP that Durov departed France on March 13 after an investigating judge approved his request to modify bail conditions. A second source confirmed that he has been permitted to stay abroad for several weeks before returning.
Legal Troubles Since 2024 Arrest
Durov’s legal challenges began when he was arrested at Le Bourget airport in Paris on August 24, 2024. French authorities formally charged him on August 26, accusing him of complicity in child exploitation, drug trafficking, and other organized criminal activities.
Authorities alleged that Telegram’s lack of content moderation allowed the platform to facilitate illicit activities, including the distribution of child pornography and drug trafficking. If convicted, Durov could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of €500,000 ($550,000).
His arrest was met with widespread condemnation from the Telegram community, privacy advocates, and tech leaders. Edward Snowden and Elon Musk denounced the arrest, calling it an attack on freedom of speech and digital privacy.
Bail Modification Allows Travel to Dubai
Durov was released on August 28, 2024, after posting a €5 million ($6 million) bail. His initial bail conditions required him to remain in France, but the March 13 ruling granted him the ability to travel abroad.
While the specifics of his bail modification remain unclear, his decision to relocate to Dubai has raised questions about jurisdiction and extradition, as Dubai does not have extradition agreements with several countries.
Durov’s Stance on Legal Accountability
Following his release, Durov took to Telegram to express his frustration with the legal scrutiny surrounding tech innovators. He wrote:
“Building technology is hard enough as it is. No innovator will ever build new tools if they know they can be personally held responsible for potential abuse of those tools.”
Impact on the Crypto Market and TON Foundation’s Response
The crypto market reacted positively to Durov’s travel news. The Open Network (TON), the blockchain associated with Telegram, saw its price increase by 20% in the past 24 hours, according to CryptoSlate data.
The TON Foundation released a statement on X (formerly Twitter), calling this development a significant moment of resolution. They reaffirmed their support for Durov’s commitment to free speech and digital privacy, stating:
“As part of the decentralized TON community, we have stood in solidarity with Pavel, supporting his unwavering dedication to defending the right to free speech and privacy online.”
Second Russian Tech Figure to Secure Release
Durov’s case follows that of Alexander Vinnik, the former operator of the BTC-e crypto exchange, who was released by the U.S. and sent to Russia in a prisoner exchange deal last month.
Interestingly, despite Durov’s Russian origins, Telegram has been banned in Russia since 2018 due to its refusal to hand over encryption keys that would have allowed government surveillance of private user communications.
Durov’s temporary departure from France marks a critical development in his ongoing legal battle. With questions remaining about his return, extradition risks, and the long-term impact on Telegram, this case continues to be closely watched by privacy advocates, crypto investors, and the tech industry at large.
