Durov formally charged: released on bail
Date: 2024-08-29 Author: Кирило Загоруйко Categories: WORLD
Telegram founder Pavel Durov has been placed under judicial supervision and banned from leaving France. He can avoid pretrial detention by posting bail of 5 million euros, the Paris prosecutor's office reports.
Pavel Durov, who was released from custody on Wednesday, August 28, was charged after a court hearing. He is charged under six articles and must appear at the police station twice a week. He faces up to 10 years in prison and is charged with:
- Complicity in facilitating illegal transactions.
- Complicity in storing pornographic materials, including with minors.
- Complicity in drug trafficking.
- Complicity in fraud.
- Providing cryptological services.
- Refusing to provide information or documents requested by the authorities.
The founder and boss of Telegram has been questioned by French judicial authorities, who have accused him of failing to take action against criminal use of his messaging service.
Updated 00:10. Durov was later released from custody after a court hearing in Paris. He left the building and drove away in a private car, accompanied by security. French prosecutors confirm that he has already left the courthouse in Paris, where he faces multiple charges.
In France, complex criminal cases like the one against Durov are brought by prosecutors. However, they are ultimately heard by special judges with broad investigative powers, who bring charges when they believe the evidence points to serious wrongdoing.
Magistrates can later drop charges if they believe there is insufficient evidence to bring the case to trial, and cases can take years to resolve - meaning a quick resolution of Durov's case is unlikely.
