Pavel Durov, CEO of the social media platform Telegram, is facing preliminary charges in France for allegedly allowing criminal activities on the messaging app, according to press reports on Wednesday. Authorities accuse Telegram of facilitating child sexual abuse material, drug trafficking, fraud, and money laundering, and claim the company has refused to cooperate with investigators, SkyNews reported. Telegram has dismissed the allegations, stating that its moderation policies comply with EU laws and meet industry standards. The company described the accusations as "absurd," arguing that blaming a platform or its owner for criminal misuse is unfounded. Russia-born Durov, who became a French citizen in 2021, was arrested after landing his private jet at Le Bourget airport near Paris. French judges have barred him from leaving the country pending an investigation, though he avoided jail by posting a €5 million (over $5.5 billion) bail. Russia has called Durov's arrest politically motivated, adding further controversy to the high-profile case. — Agencies
