Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, has reportedly received permission to briefly depart from France, despite facing charges related to alleged involvement in organized crime activities, according to sources cited by AFP.
Durov, now 40, was sensationally detained at Le Bourget airport outside Paris in August 2024 and charged with a litany of violations related to the popular messaging app he founded.
This marked the first instance where the founder of a social media firm faced arrest due to content on their platform. As one of the leading messaging applications globally,Telegram boasts over 900 million active users.
Following numerous interrogations post-arrest, he faced multiple charges for not preventing extremist and terrorist material from being disseminated. He was subsequently freed on a bail amounting to five million euros ($5.6 million).
He had been banned from leaving the country, but on Saturday flew out to Dubai, sources said.
"He departed France this morning," one knowledgeable source told AFP, adding that Durov had left with the authorities' permission.
Another source said Durov, one of the world's most influential tech bosses, had departed from Le Bourget airport outside Paris for Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, where his company is based.
As stated by a third party, an investigating magistrate permitted the businessman to depart from France for "a few weeks."
Born in Russia, Durov possesses passports from Russia, France, and the United Arab Emirates. A mysterious individual who seldom addresses crowds, he is a multibillionaire with a penchant for austere lifestyles.
When contacted by AFP, a spokesperson for Telegram refused to make any comments.
Durov's legal representatives were not readily accessible for remarks at this time.
A few days ago, the investigating judge approved Durov's petition to change the terms of his probation, according to one source.
'Seriousness of allegations'
As a proclaimed libertarian, Durov has been an advocate for online privacy. In 2018, Moscow attempted to ban Telegram, but they ceased these attempts after two years.
At first, he condemned his arrest, but later he revealed actions that seem to align with Paris's requirements.
Excerpts from Durov’s interrogation in December, as reviewed by AFP via an interpreter, indicated that he first accused French officials of not informing Telegram about supposed illegal activities.
However, Durov acknowledged that he understood the gravity of all the accusations during his time in detention.
Investigators have presented over a dozen concrete instances to Durov, covering everything from child abuse to drug trafficking, fraud schemes, weapons deals, and even the procurement of assassins.
President Emmanuel Macron supported the choice to bestow French citizenship upon Durov, stating that this move was part of a “strategy” aimed at people who “make their mark globally.”
A person involved in the inquiry stated that Durov highlighted his connections with the French president when being questioned.
He has gained backing from prominent technology entrepreneur and CEO of X, Elon Musk, who commented using the hashtag #FreePavel.
The Kremlin has cautioned France not to transform the case against Durov into political persecution.
According to Forbes magazine, his present wealth is estimated at $15.5 billion; however, he enthusiastically advocates for a minimalist lifestyle that involves taking ice baths and abstaining from alcohol and caffeine consumption.
By detaining Durov, French law enforcement found themselves at the center of a contentious discussion about freedom of expression on the internet.
Some said Durov should not be held responsible for abuse of the platform, while others have pointed out that Durov may well have brought scrutiny on to himself.
