Pavel Durov Breaks Silence: “I’m Still Confused About My Arrest in France”
In his first public interview since being arrested in France last August, Telegram founder Pavel Durov expressed bewilderment over the charges against him and suggested political motives behind his detention. The exclusive interview with Tucker Carlson, which premiered on June 9, 2025, marks a significant moment in the ongoing legal battle that has captivated the cryptocurrency and tech communities worldwide.
Durov faces legal challenges
The Arrest That Shocked the Crypto World
On August 24, 2024, Pavel Durov was arrested at Le Bourget Airport outside Paris, sending shockwaves through the cryptocurrency and messaging app communities. The 40-year-old entrepreneur, whose platform has become integral to crypto trading and communication, was subsequently indicted on six serious charges.
“We’re a big company, we are audited by a Big Four accounting firm, we work with the biggest financial institutions” Durov told Carlson, emphasizing Telegram’s compliance efforts. “We spend millions of dollars every quarter on legal compliance to make sure we don’t violate laws anywhere and we operate in almost 200 countries.”
Understanding the Charges Against Durov
French prosecutors charged Durov with multiple serious offenses, including:
- Complicity in criminal activity on the Telegram platform
- Refusing to respond to French authorities regarding legal requests
- Money laundering through the messaging service
- Criminal association with organized groups
- Providing crypto services without proper declaration
- Involvement in spreading illicit content due to limited moderation
These charges could potentially result in up to 10 years in prison, making this case a landmark legal precedent for tech executives and cryptocurrency-related platforms.
Telegram’s crypto community impact
Durov’s Defense: Due Process Violations
During the candid interview, Durov strongly defended his company’s practices and questioned the legal foundation of his arrest. “When I learned more about it, I realized that we did actually nothing wrong,” he stated, alleging that French authorities failed to follow proper due process.
The Telegram CEO specifically challenged the complicity charges, explaining: “At first, they said, ‘Oh, you failed to respond to our legal requests, and that’s why you’re complicit.’ But first of all, it’s not true that we didn’t respond to legally binding legal requests, and secondly, it’s a very extensive interpretation of complicity even for the French legal and judicial system.”
Political Motives and Unprecedented Treatment
Both Durov and interviewer Tucker Carlson suggested that the arrest may have been politically motivated rather than based on legitimate legal concerns. Carlson characterized the detention as an act of “humiliation,” noting the unusual public nature of the prosecutor’s actions.
“Obviously, they went way out of their way to humiliate you,” Carlson observed during the interview. Durov agreed, revealing that his lawyers informed him that the prosecutor’s office typically operates discretely and rarely issues public statements – “not the case with me,” he added.
The Crypto Community’s Response
The arrest sparked significant backlash within the cryptocurrency community, where Telegram serves as a primary communication platform for traders, developers, and investors. The TON Community reported that over 9 million Telegram users signed a letter calling for Durov’s immediate release, demonstrating the platform’s crucial role in the digital asset ecosystem.
Support letter reaches millions
Current Legal Status and Restrictions
Durov remains under “judicial control” in France, with his movements severely restricted. French authorities recently denied his request to travel to the United States for business negotiations with investment funds, highlighting the ongoing constraints on his freedom despite being released from detention.
The case represents an unprecedented legal challenge for a tech executive, with potential implications extending far beyond Telegram to affect how cryptocurrency platforms and messaging services operate globally.
Implications for the Cryptocurrency Industry
This case has set important precedents for cryptocurrency-related businesses and their executives. Legal experts suggest that Durov’s treatment could signal increased regulatory scrutiny of platforms that facilitate cryptocurrency trading and communication.
The charges particularly focus on Telegram’s role in enabling cryptocurrency transactions and its limited content moderation policies – issues that affect numerous platforms serving the digital asset community.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for Tech Freedom
As Durov continues to fight the charges while remaining under judicial supervision, the case raises fundamental questions about platform responsibility, cryptocurrency regulation, and the balance between innovation and law enforcement.
The outcome of this legal battle will likely influence how governments worldwide approach the regulation of cryptocurrency-focused platforms and could reshape the landscape for tech executives operating in multiple jurisdictions.“I’m still trying to find out, to be honest. I’m confused,” Durov concluded when pressed about the specific reasons for his continued legal troubles, a statement that reflects the uncertainty facing the entire cryptocurrency industry regarding regulatory compliance and executive liability.
