Telegram owner Pavel Durov questioned in France over alleged illegal content on the app

(Patria) - Telegram founder Pavel Durov faced questioning on Monday by investigating judges in Paris over the platform's alleged involvement in criminal activities, sources close to the case said, AFP reported.

Durov (40) was sensationally detained in Paris in 2024 and is under formal investigation by French authorities over illegal content on his popular messaging app.

Upon arriving at the Paris court on Monday morning with four of his lawyers, the Russia-born entrepreneur faced a third round of questioning since being charged with multiple offenses related to enabling organized crime.

Durov, who holds French and Russian passports, is accused of complicity in running an online platform that facilitated illegal transactions, images of child sexual abuse, and other illegal content.

Durov has denied those claims, and his lawyers said in a statement that Monday's full-day session allowed Durov "to provide additional explanations showing the absurdity of the facts under investigation."
In his first questioning in December 2024, Durov denied creating Telegram for illegal use but acknowledged the platform's growing criminal presence and promised to strengthen moderation.

French judicial authorities have noted an improvement in cooperation with Telegram since Durov's arrest, sources involved in organized crime cases told AFP.

Durov, who was initially banned from leaving France, had his judicial supervision eased from the beginning of July, allowing him to stay in the United Arab Emirates for a maximum of two weeks.

"We strongly contest the legality of the indictment against our client and the numerous investigative actions carried out in violation of domestic and European law," his lawyers said in their statement on Monday.

The lawyers also filed a legal request in France to test the constitutionality of the case, along with a request for a preliminary ruling to the highest court of the European Union, according to the same source.