Telegram Chief Pavel Durov Interrogated in Paris Regarding Suspected Involvement in Unlawful Activities

Pavel Durov, the creator of Telegram, reportedly appeared in a Paris court on December 6 for his initial formal questioning regarding accusations that the messaging service enabled criminal activities.

The session, which took place at 10 a.m. CET, included Durov alongside his attorneys, David-Olivier Kaminski and Christophe Ingrain, as per an unnamed source referenced by Agence France-Presse (AFP).

The investigation centered on allegations that Telegram was utilized for conducting unlawful transactions.

Durov Could Face Up to 10 Years in Prison

Durov’s legal issues commenced on August 24, when he was momentarily detained at Le Bourget Airport in Paris.

He was released after posting a $6 million bail but is prohibited from leaving France until March 2025.

On August 28, French prosecutors formally lodged preliminary charges against him, alleging that Telegram acted as a conduit for illegal activities.

If found guilty, Durov could face a prison sentence of up to 10 years and a fine of €500,000 ($550,000).

The Paris prosecutor’s office (Parquet de Paris) indicated that the investigation into Telegram commenced in February 2024.

This escalated to a formal judicial inquiry in July, just weeks prior to Durov’s arrest.

Telegram founder Pavel Durov was questioned for the first time on the merits in a Paris court as part of the case against him, (via France Presse)
Durov stated that he “trusts the French justice system,” but refrained from commenting further on the case’s progress or the allegations… pic.twitter.com/49irRwNGKL

— Vatnik Lobo (@LordDracula91) December 7, 2024

In a separate development, sources informed The Wall Street Journal that Durov’s phone was allegedly hacked in 2017, a year prior to his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.

This case has raised concerns within both the technology and cryptocurrency sectors.

Telegram’s Crypto Holdings Surge to $1.3 Billion

Telegram has positioned itself as a significant entity in the cryptocurrency market, with its crypto holdings soaring to $1.3 billion in the first half of 2024, up from $400 million at the close of 2023.

As reported, the company’s increase in crypto holdings, revenue from Toncoin sales, and a concluded exclusivity agreement with Toncoin have greatly enhanced its financial standing.

According to the disclosures, the platform’s cryptocurrency assets tripled in value during the first half of 2024, reaching $1.3 billion.

This expansion is primarily attributed to Telegram selling $353 million worth of digital assets in the initial six months of 2024.

The company further capitalized on Toncoin by securing a $225 million exclusivity agreement that designated the cryptocurrency as the sole means for small businesses to purchase advertisements on its platform.

In October, Telegram announced plans to establish a local office in Kazakhstan.

This decision, revealed by the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry, was made in the context of efforts to enhance communication with local authorities and manage platform content more effectively.

Minister Zhaslan Madiyev stated that Telegram’s physical presence in Kazakhstan would be an “important step to increase control” and oversight of content on the platform.

Following Durov’s arrest, Telegram has enacted several measures to address these issues, including sharing user information, such as IP addresses and phone numbers, with authorities when deemed necessary.

The platform has also introduced significant updates to its search engine, eliminating problematic content and employing artificial intelligence to identify and block illicit material.

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