French judge convicts Telegram co-founder Pavel Durov and releases him under judicial control

A French judge on Wednesday charged Pavel Durov, the founder of the Telegram messaging platform, with crimes ranging from legalisation to involvement in the dissemination of paedophile images and ordered his release under judicial control.

The arrest of Pavel Durov in Paris has sparked a global debate about the characteristics of Telegram, its role in the exercise of freedom of expression online, and the ability of governments to regulate crimes committed in the virtual sphere. Also, what are France’s real intentions.

Three days after his arrest, the French prosecutor’s office made public on Monday night the twelve crimes it had accused him of, including involvement in drug trafficking, distribution of child pornography or membership in a criminal gang.

The reason for the arrest is Telegram’s and, by extension, Durov’s lack of cooperation with French courts investigating these crimes. The app usually ignores information requests from authorities, a policy that other European justice systems, such as the Spanish, have opposed.