Telegram CEO charged with numerous crimes and is banned from leaving France
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov was indicted in France today and ordered to post bail of 5 million euros. The multi-billionaire was forbidden from leaving the country and must report to police twice a week while the case continues.
Charges were detailed in a statement issued today by Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau, which was provided to Ars. They are nearly identical to the possible charges released by Beccuau on Monday.
The first charge listed is complicity in "web-mastering an online platform in order to enable an illegal transaction in organized group." Today's press release said this charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a 500,000-euro fine.
Telegram's alleged refusal to cooperate with law enforcement on criminal investigations resulted in a charge of "refusal to communicate, at the request of competent authorities, information or documents necessary for carrying out and operating interceptions allowed by law."
Beccuau said there was a near-total lack of response from Telegram to requests for cooperation in cases related to crimes against minors, drug crimes, and online hate. This led authorities "to open an investigation into the possible criminal responsibility of the messaging app's executives in the commission of these offenses," Beccuau said, as quoted by Bloomberg.
