SAEDNEWS: French authorities issued arrest warrants for Telegram CEO Pavel Durov and his co-founder brother Nikolai in March, according to a French administrative document seen by local American media.
According to SAEDNEWS, French officials have issued arrest warrants for Telegram CEO Pavel Durov and his brother Nikolai, the platform's co-founder, as part of an ongoing investigation into the messaging service’s alleged refusal to cooperate with a child sex abuse inquiry. This information was confirmed through a French administrative document reviewed by American media outlet Politico.
The document reveals that the undercover investigation into Telegram began months earlier than previously recognized, focusing on the platform's lack of response to a judicial request for the identification of a user involved in criminal activities. Wolff emphasized that Telegram provided “no answer” to this request, contributing to the issuance of warrants on March 25 for both Durov brothers. The charges include “complicity in possessing, distributing, offering or making available pornographic images of minors, in an organized group.”
Pavel Durov was arrested on Saturday night at Paris’ Le Bourget airport after border officials notified judicial authorities of his arrival on a private jet from Azerbaijan. His arrest sparked a diplomatic uproar in France and ignited a global debate about free speech and the responsibilities of social media platforms for user-generated content.
The investigation found that the Telegram platform was being used by "numerous criminal groups," prompting the need for the warrants. While the document does not indicate that either Durov brother was directly involved in the illegal activities, it stresses the platform’s “almost non-existent cooperation" with French and European authorities.
Reports indicate that the number of fires stemming from alleged child pornography offenses led authorities to investigate Telegram, culminating in the current situation. A suspect in an undercover operation revealed discussions about luring underage girls into producing explicit content, claiming to have threatened victims with release on social media. However, the details remain troubling as Telegram reportedly ignored requests for information that could aid the investigation.
Following news of Pavel Durov's arrest, the value of Toncoin, a cryptocurrency developed by the Durov brothers, dropped significantly, plunging about 20 percent. A lawyer representing Pavel Durov declined to comment on the ongoing investigation.
Additionally, Telegram's Vice President Ilya Perekopsky has been mentioned in connection with the case, although it is unclear if a warrant has been issued for him. The Paris prosecutor’s office stated they could not comment on the warrants due to the case's confidential nature but confirmed that the investigation involves serious charges, including child pornography.
"At this stage, the only person being questioned in this case is Pavel Durov," the prosecutor’s office added, indicating that Nikolai Durov's current whereabouts remain unknown.
In response to the allegations, Telegram defended its operations, asserting compliance with EU laws and maintaining that its founder “has nothing to hide.” The platform stated it cannot be held accountable for the misuse of its services.
The Durov brothers, who hold multiple citizenships including Russian and French, founded Telegram in 2013. Since then, the platform has grown to nearly one billion users, becoming crucial for communication among political dissidents and various organizations, while fiercely resisting requests to censor content or provide user data.
Russian state media has reported that the Kremlin intends to seek consular access for Pavel Durov, amid rising tensions. The United Arab Emirates, where Durov usually resides, has also requested consular assistance, though Durov has reportedly declined this offer.
Pavel Durov's interrogation is set to conclude on Wednesday, with authorities deciding whether to file charges or release him. The situation has drawn condemnation from free speech advocates, including billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, reflecting broader concerns about freedom of expression in the digital age.
