Dubai: Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov has announced his return to Dubai while French authorities persist with their investigation into allegations that he allowed criminal activities on the platform.
According to Anadolu Agency, Durov made the announcement on his Telegram account, stating, “As you may have heard, I’ve returned to Dubai after spending several months in France due to an investigation related to the activity of criminals on Telegram. The process is ongoing, but it feels great to be home.” He expressed gratitude towards the judges for permitting his return.
Durov, who holds Russian, French, and Emirati citizenship, was detained in August 2024 upon landing his private jet at Le Bourget airport near Paris. He faced charges of “complicity” in the dissemination of child abuse images and drug trafficking. Despite these charges, he was released after posting a bail of £5 million (about $5.4 million) under judicial supervision.
The case has stirred controversy, with Russia denouncing Durov’s arrest as ‘politically motivated.’ This adds a complex layer to the ongoing investigation into the activities on Telegram, a platform known for its strong privacy features.