A French judicial entity seeks engagement with the creator of Telegram.
Pavel Durov, the creator of Telegram, was brought before a judicial inquiry following his detention in France. The judge ordered Durov to appear in court for interrogation, as reported by the German Press Agency from the Paris prosecutor's office.
Subsequent to the inquiry, there might be an investigation initiated against Durov. Such an investigation could potentially escalate to a criminal trial if the investigators discover sufficient proof opposing the accused. Alternatively, they could also decide to close the case.
As per the information from the prosecutor's office, investigations against Durov have been ongoing for quite some time now. The allegations are that he has played a part in drug dealing, money laundering, fraud, and various offenses related to child abuse by not being proactive enough in intervening at Telegram and offering insufficient cooperation to authorities. His lack of cooperation regarding lawfully permitted surveillance measures is also a subject of criticism.
Therefore, the authorities had been looking for Durov. He was apprehended at an airport close to Paris on Saturday night.
Telegram denies the accusations levied against it. The company asserts that it adheres to all the established regulations. Durov "has nothing to conceal." Moreover, it is "preposterous" to blame a platform or its proprietor for the misuse of the service by external elements.
Telegram has been under fire for quite some time now over its inadequate handling of hate speech and other unlawful activities. The company itself contends that it falls within "industry norms."
Given Durow's involvement in the allegations, the French authorities are considering extending their investigation beyond Telegram. Durow's legal team has strongly refuted these accusations, maintaining his innocence throughout the Durow case.
