Michaela
Pavel Durov, founder of the cloud-based messaging app Telegram, has received court permission to leave France for 14 days to travel to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where Telegram is officially registered and based.
Local news outlet Le Monde reported that Durov was granted permission to leave France on July 10 for a brief trip. He is expected to return to France to continue addressing his ongoing legal matters.
In May, French authorities rejected Durov’s request to travel to Oslo, Norway, where he was scheduled to deliver a keynote speech at the Human Rights Foundation’s Oslo Freedom Forum. As a result, Durov delivered his address remotely.
However, in March and April, Durov received authorization to leave France for several weeks to visit Dubai. Since then, the Telegram founder has been publicly discussing his ongoing legal proceedings in France, an issue closely watched by free speech advocates, privacy supporters, and the crypto community alike.
This week, Durov issued a stark warning about France’s future, criticizing President Emmanuel Macron’s leadership and suggesting the nation is on the brink of societal collapse as it grows increasingly fragile.
Durov also spotlighted pro-censorship policies and excessive regulation as key factors pushing talent out of France and toward regions that foster innovation and freedom.
More than a week ago, in an interview with American political commentator Tucker Carlson, Durov expressed that he remains uncertain about the reasons behind his detention by French authorities in August 2024. He hinted that the arrest could have been politically driven, possibly tied to increased government scrutiny over alleged illegal activities conducted on Telegram.
Durov disclosed that during his arrest at Le Bourget Airport near Paris last year, French officials appeared primarily interested in how Telegram operates behind the scenes, rather than any specific charges or allegations.
The Telegram founder was formally indicted on six charges, including complicity in organized crime, money laundering, and criminal conspiracy. French prosecutors also accused Durov of ignoring official requests, operating unregistered cryptocurrency services, and allowing illegal content to circulate on Telegram, a platform they argue is inadequately moderated.
Durov later stated that upon closer examination of the allegations, he found no wrongdoing on his part. He also claimed that French authorities did not adhere to proper legal procedures when seeking information from him or attempting to access data from the Telegram platform.
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Michaela has no crypto positions and does not hold any crypto assets. This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The Shib Magazine and The Shib Daily are the official media and publications of the Shiba Inu cryptocurrency project. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.
