Encrypted messaging app Telegram’s CEO has been indicted and released on €5 million bail in France. 

Pavel Durov, the Russian-born CEO of Telegram, has been indicted by French authorities on six charges related to criminal activities allegedly facilitated through his messaging platform. 

The charges include complicity in managing an online platform to enable illegal transactions by organised groups and failure to cooperate with law enforcement. 

Durov has been released from custody on a €5 million bail and is prohibited from leaving France. He is required to report to a police station twice a week.

The Paris prosecutor's office says that the charges against Durov extend to complicity in distributing images of child abuse, facilitating drug trafficking, and enabling hate speech through the app. 

Telegram has faced increasing scrutiny from governments around the world for its perceived failure to moderate illegal activities occurring on its platform. 

French authorities initiated their investigation into Telegram in February, based on evidence of alleged criminal activities tied to the platform.

Durov was arrested at Le Bourget airport in Paris as he disembarked from his private jet. 

The arrest has sparked a diplomatic stir, involving Paris, Moscow, and Abu Dhabi, and ignited a broader debate on online free speech and the responsibilities of tech companies in moderating content.

Telegram, a messaging app that Durov launched in 2013 after leaving Russia, is popular for its robust privacy features but has been accused of enabling illegal activities ranging from drug trafficking to terrorism. 

The Paris prosecutor's office pointed out that Telegram's response to judicial requests has been almost non-existent, a stance that contributed to Durov’s indictment.

David-Olivier Kaminski, Durov's lawyer, has dismissed the charges as “absurd”, maintaining that Telegram complies with all European digital regulations. 

However, there is tension between the EU’s regulatory demands and the platform's commitment to privacy, a central tenet of Durov's vision for Telegram.

The arrest has also led to a sharp decline in the value of Toncoin, a cryptocurrency associated with Telegram, which saw its value drop by over 15 per cent following the news. 

Durov, who is known for his libertarian views and opposition to censorship, has garnered support from various quarters, including the cryptocurrency community and free speech advocates. 

French President Emmanuel Macron says the charges are not politically motivated, but analysts suggest that the arrest could be seen as part of the larger geopolitical context, particularly in relation to Russia. 

Political scientist Aleksandar Djokic noted that outside the judiciary, Durov’s detention is likely to be interpreted through a political lens.

Durov, who holds French and Emirati citizenships, has long been a controversial figure. He gained fame in Russia as the founder of VKontakte (VK), a social network that he sold after clashing with the Kremlin over censorship. 

His subsequent creation, Telegram, has become a pivotal platform for both government critics and supporters, especially in Russia and Ukraine.

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