French authorities have lifted a travel ban on Pavel Durov, the founder of the encrypted messaging app Telegram, who remains under formal investigation in France over allegations that the platform facilitated illegal online activity, according to judicial sources cited by Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Durov, 41, was arrested in Paris in 2024 and placed under judicial supervision as part of an investigation into Telegram’s alleged involvement in criminal operations, including illegal transactions and the sharing of child abuse material.
In July, French judicial authorities had already eased travel restrictions, allowing Durov—who holds both Russian and French citizenship—to travel to the United Arab Emirates, where Telegram is headquartered, for up to two weeks at a time.
The latest decision fully lifts the travel ban, meaning Durov is no longer required to report to police in the southern city of Nice, a source familiar with the case told AFP.
The same source said Durov had “fully complied” with the conditions of his judicial supervision over the past year.
During an initial interrogation in December 2024, Durov acknowledged that criminal activity on the platform had increased but vowed to strengthen content moderation systems. He also accused French authorities of failing to follow due process in their requests to monitor Telegram content.
Durov has denied all charges, saying his arrest “seriously damages France’s image as a free country.”
His lawyers declined to comment when contacted by AFP.
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