Telegram founder Pavel Durov has reportedly left France and relocated to Dubai after receiving court approval, reigniting discussions on jurisdiction, privacy, and the responsibilities of tech leaders in addressing illegal activities on their platforms.
As per reports, a French court granted Durov permission to leave the country on March 13, allowing him to travel to Dubai. The specifics of the court’s decision remain undisclosed, but the move has drawn attention given Dubai’s business-friendly environment and its lack of extradition agreements with several nations.
Citing unnamed sources, AFP reported that “He (Durov) departed France this morning,” adding that he left with the authorities’ approval. Another source stated that he had been granted permission to leave for “several weeks.”
Durov’s legal troubles began in August 2024 when he was briefly detained at Le Bourget airport in Paris. French authorities accused him of running a platform that allegedly facilitates illegal activities, leading to formal charges on August 28.
The country’s Prosecutor’s Office stated that Durov faced potential penalties, including up to ten years in prison and a fine of 500,000 euros ($550,000). He was released after posting a $6 million bail but was initially required to remain in France while the investigation continued.
The latest reports indicate that Durov’s departure could signal a resolution to his case or an interim arrangement allowing him to leave while legal proceedings are ongoing. However, no official confirmation has come from Durov himself or French authorities at the time of reporting.
Market reactions to the news were swift, particularly in the cryptocurrency sector. Toncoin (TON), the native token of The Open Network (TON), saw a sharp 18% surge in value following reports of Durov’s relocation, as per data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView. While Telegram has not officially commented on the matter, the price movement suggests investor sentiment was influenced by the development.
TON Foundation, responding to the news, welcomed the development, stating,
“TON Foundation is delighted to learn that Pavel Durov’s passport has been returned to him by French authorities, granting him the freedom to leave the country at his discretion.”
Durov, now 40, holds Russian, French, and Emirati citizenships. His case has drawn international attention, with the Russian government previously expressing a willingness to assist him legally. His relocation to Dubai also comes just a month after another high-profile case involving Russian national Alexander Vinnik.
Vinnik, the former operator of the now-defunct cryptocurrency exchange BTC-e, was released from U.S. custody and returned to Russia as part of a U.S.-Russia prisoner exchange. His case had been ongoing since his arrest in 2017, highlighting the broader geopolitical implications of such legal disputes.
With Durov’s departure, questions remain about the future of his legal status in France and the broader implications for tech entrepreneurs facing regulatory scrutiny. The French government has yet to issue an official statement, leaving uncertainty around whether his departure signals the conclusion of the case or a temporary arrangement.
Editorial Note: This news article has been written with assistance from AI. Edited & fact-checked by the Editorial Team.
