France Completely Lifts Travel Restrictions on Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Following Investigation

The 41-year-old Russian-born entrepreneur was detained in Paris earlier in 2024.

France has officially removed travel restrictions on Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, who has been under investigation regarding illegal content circulating on his messaging platform, according to judicial sources familiar with the case on Thursday.

The 41-year-old founder was previously detained in Paris in 2024 and placed under formal investigation by French authorities who alleged the platform's complicity in various criminal activities.

Initially forbidden from leaving France, Durov's judicial supervision was eased in July, permitting him to stay in the United Arab Emirates, where Telegram headquarters are located, for periods not exceeding two weeks at a time.

Now, authorities have completely eliminated his travel ban, and he is no longer obligated to check in with police in Nice, a southern French city.

A judicial source, speaking anonymously to AFP, stated that Durov "has fully complied with his judicial supervision" throughout the past year.

Durov, who holds dual French and Russian citizenship, faced accusations of complicity in operating an online platform that facilitated illicit transactions, distribution of child sexual abuse material, and other prohibited content.

During his initial interrogation in December 2024, the technology entrepreneur acknowledged the increasing criminal presence on the platform and committed to enhancing content monitoring measures.

However, Durov has criticized French authorities for allegedly failing to follow proper legal protocols when submitting content moderation requests.

He has consistently denied all allegations and condemned his arrest as causing "massive damage to France's image as a free country".

When contacted by AFP, Durov's legal representatives declined to provide any comment.