French prosecutors released preliminary details regarding the investigation into Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, who was unexpectedly arrested on Saturday (24th of August) at Paris' Le Bourget airport.

 

Although Durov has not been formally charged with any crime, officials indicated that he is being detained as part of an inquiry “against unnamed individuals” and may remain in police custody until Wednesday.

 

Initiated on July 8, the investigation encompasses a range of serious allegations, including money laundering, violations concerning the import and export of encryption tools, non-compliance with law enforcement, and “complicity” in drug trafficking, as well as possession and distribution of child pornography, among other offenses.

 

The investigation, spearheaded by “Section J3” cybercrime prosecutors, has seen collaboration with France’s Centre for the Fight against Cybercrime (C3N) and the Anti-Fraud National Office (ONAF), as detailed in a press release. Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau noted that “it is within this procedural framework in which Pavel Durov was questioned by the investigators.”

 

Telegram has not responded to multiple inquiries regarding the investigation but emphasized in a statement on the company's news channel that Durov has “nothing to hide.”

 

“Given the existence of several preliminary investigations in France concerning Telegram related to the protection of minors' rights and in cooperation with other French investigative units—such as those addressing cyber harassment—the arrest of Durov does not strike me as an extraordinary action,” remarked Cannelle Lavite, a French lawyer specializing in free speech issues.

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