Telegram founder Pavel Durov has stated that the company has always met and even “exceeded” its legal obligations in moderation, cooperation, and crime prevention. His remarks come after reports that French authorities have temporarily suspended judicial control obligations related to him.
On March 17, Durov announced via Telegram that he had returned to Dubai after spending several months in France. While the legal process is still ongoing, he expressed relief, saying it “feels great to be home.”
According to Russian news outlet TASS, French prosecutors suspended judicial control over Durov from March 15 to April 7. This suspension means that legal proceedings or potential court enforcement against him are currently on hold. However, the executive will likely be required to return to France after the temporary pause.
Durov Thanks Legal Team, Reaffirms Telegram’s Commitment to Compliance
The Telegram founder was previously accused of allowing illegal activities on the messaging platform, leading to his arrest in Paris on August 24, 2024. However, Durov and his legal team have maintained that Telegram has actively cooperated with authorities and exceeded legal requirements in moderating content and preventing criminal activities.
In his latest statement, Durov expressed gratitude to French judges, his lawyers, and Telegram’s internal team for proving the company’s compliance. He emphasized that Telegram has gone above and beyond legal obligations in terms of moderation and law enforcement cooperation.
“I want to thank the investigative judges for letting this happen, as well as my lawyers and team for their relentless efforts in demonstrating that, when it comes to moderation, cooperation, and fighting crime, for years, Telegram not only met but exceeded its legal obligations,” he wrote.
Durov also acknowledged his global supporters, stating, “There is nothing our billion-strong community can’t overcome.”
Toncoin Surges Following Durov’s Release
Durov’s return to Dubai also triggered a rally in Toncoin (TON), the native cryptocurrency of The Open Network (TON), a blockchain project deeply integrated with Telegram. Following news of his release on March 15, Toncoin surged from $2.93 to $3.46, hitting a seven-day high of $3.59 on March 17. At the time of writing, Toncoin is trading at $3.41, according to CoinGecko.
TON Society Applauds Durov’s Release
The TON Society, a community-driven movement supporting the TON blockchain, welcomed Durov’s release, praising his dedication to freedom of speech and transparency. The group had previously written an open letter to French authorities, urging them to release the Telegram founder.
While Durov’s return to Dubai marks a temporary victory, his legal challenges in France remain unresolved, and further developments are expected after the judicial suspension ends on April 7.
