Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau has described the legal case against Telegram CEO Pavel Durov as “exemplary” in France’s ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime. Durov, who was arrested in late August upon arriving in Paris, faces multiple charges, including failing to cooperate with authorities and operating an online platform allegedly used for illegal activities such as trafficking and child exploitation.
Durov, a Russian-born tech billionaire with multiple citizenships, including France, the UAE, and Saint Kitts and Nevis, was later released on €5 million ($5.55 million) bail but remains restricted from leaving France while the investigation continues.
Beccuau emphasized the importance of the case in addressing the refusal of platforms like Telegram to assist in cybercrime investigations, specifically regarding their failure to help identify cybercriminals involved in child pornography and other serious offenses.