French prosecutors in Paris file formal charges against Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram

On the evening of August 28 local time, Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of the social media platform "Telegram," was transferred to the court after being released from custody. French prosecutors in Paris filed formal charges against him on the same day, involving six charges including money laundering and illegal transactions using online platforms. At the same time, Durov was prohibited from leaving France and required to undergo a judicial investigation.

The 39-year-old Durov holds multiple nationalities including Russian, French, and Emirati. He founded "Telegram" in 2013. The platform currently has about 900 million users. It is one of the main social media platforms in the Russian-speaking region and an important platform for both Russia and Ukraine to express their views during the Ukraine crisis.

Previously, on the evening of August 24 local time, Durov was arrested at Le Bourget Airport on the outskirts of Paris after arriving in France on a private plane from Azerbaijan. French judicial authorities said Durov was suspected of a series of crimes, including possible links to terrorism, drug trafficking, fraud, money laundering, and Telegram's refusal to cooperate with the French government. In response, Telegram refuted these accusations.

According to Reuters, Durov is under judicial supervision and required to pay a bail of 5 million euros. He is also required to report to the police station twice a week and is prohibited from leaving the country. Undergoing a "formal investigation" in France does not mean guilt or necessarily lead to a trial, but indicates that the judge believes there is sufficient evidence to continue the investigation. The investigation may last for several years before a trial is held, or it may be shelved.

This incident has attracted widespread attention. The Russian side has asked the French side to explain the reason for arresting Durov. French President Macron previously posted on social media that Durov's arrest in France is part of an ongoing judicial investigation and is not politically motivated.