Telegram Founder Returns to Dubai Amid Ongoing French Investigation

Telegram Founder Returns to Dubai Amid Ongoing French Investigation

Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, has returned to Dubai after French authorities allowed him to leave the country, where he remains under investigation for alleged criminal activities on his messaging platform.

Ongoing Investigation and Travel Restrictions

Durov, 40, was arrested at Le Bourget airport near Paris in August and placed under formal investigation. Initially, French authorities imposed a travel ban, restricting him from leaving the country where he holds citizenship. However, a recent judicial ruling modified his bail conditions, granting him temporary travel permission.

Confirming his return to Dubai, Durov posted on Telegram: “The process is ongoing, but it feels great to be home.” He also expressed gratitude to investigators for allowing his departure. Until recently, he was required to check in at a police station twice a week and had paid €5 million in bail.

Charges and Telegram’s Content Moderation Efforts

Durov’s case marks the first instance of a social media founder facing legal consequences over content moderation failures. Telegram, which has over 900 million users globally, has been scrutinized for not effectively curbing illegal content. Authorities charged Durov with failing to take adequate action against child abuse material and other unlawful activities on the platform.

Following his arrest, Telegram intensified its moderation efforts. In 2025 alone, the company reported blocking more than 6.1 million groups and channels, including 160,000 related to child sexual abuse and 57,000 linked to terrorism.

Political Reactions and International Response

Durov’s legal battle has sparked political debate. French President Emmanuel Macron defended his decision to grant Durov French citizenship in 2021, citing it as an effort to attract global tech talent. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin criticized France’s handling of the case, calling it “selective” enforcement of the law.

Durov also received support from Elon Musk, who posted the hashtag #FreePavel on X. The Kremlin warned against turning the case into a “political persecution.”

While Durov initially criticized French authorities, he later acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations. Investigators have linked Telegram to multiple criminal cases involving child abuse, drug trafficking, scams, and illegal arms sales.

What’s Next for Durov and Telegram?

For now, Durov remains free and back in Dubai, but the investigation is ongoing. Legal experts suggest that if convicted, he could face significant penalties, including hefty fines or further restrictions on his movement.

As the case develops, Telegram continues to implement stricter policies to address illegal content. Whether these measures will be enough to satisfy regulators remains to be seen.