French authorities
France Completely Lifts Travel Restrictions on Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Following Investigation
Nov 14, 2025 12:47 am CST
French authorities have fully removed travel restrictions on Telegram founder Pavel Durov, who was under investigation regarding illegal content on his messaging platform. The 41-year-old Russian-born entrepreneur, who holds dual French-Russian citizenship, had been detained in Paris in 2024 and was previously required to report to police in Nice. According to judicial sources, Durov has fully complied with supervision requirements over the past year while maintaining his innocence regarding allegations of platform misuse.
Shein Implements Global Ban on Sex Dolls Following French Investigation into Child-Like Products
Nov 04, 2025 08:17 am CST
Asian e-commerce giant Shein has announced a global ban on all sex dolls after French authorities condemned the company for featuring products resembling children. The Paris prosecutor's office has opened investigations against Shein and competitors AliExpress, Temu, and Wish over these concerning sales, just days before Shein plans to open its first physical store in Paris amid mounting regulatory pressure across Europe.
Iranian Academic Mahdieh Esfandiari Granted Conditional Release in France Following Detention for Anti-Israel Posts
Oct 23, 2025 03:23 pm CST
Mahdieh Esfandiari, a 39-year-old Iranian linguist and academic, has been conditionally released by French authorities after months of detention related to alleged pro-Hamas social media posts. The Iranian citizen, who has lived in France since 2018, faces multiple terrorism-related charges and awaits trial in January while Iranian and French officials potentially negotiate a prisoner exchange.
Four Masked Thieves Target Crown Jewels in Daring Louvre Museum Heist
Oct 20, 2025 01:52 am CST
French authorities are hunting for four masked thieves who executed a meticulously planned heist at the Louvre Museum, stealing eight priceless historical jewelry pieces from the Apollo Gallery housing France's crown jewels before escaping on high-powered scooters. Paris's chief prosecutor Laure Beccuau described the perpetrators as an organized "strike team" in this brazen attack on one of the world's most famous museums.