Pavel Durov, the visionary founder of the widely used messaging platform Telegram, has officially left France and moved to Dubai after receiving approval from a French court.
On March 13, 2025, a French court reportedly granted Durov permission to exit the country, allowing him to travel to Dubai—a global business hub known for its favorable corporate policies and lack of extradition agreements with numerous nations. This decision was first reported by Barron’s, citing anonymous sources familiar with the matter.
While the precise conditions of the court’s ruling remain undisclosed, Durov’s departure has reignited discussions about digital privacy, jurisdictional limitations, and the accountability of tech entrepreneurs in preventing illicit activities on their platforms.
According to AFP, citing unnamed sources, “He (Durov) departed France this morning,” with further reports indicating that authorities had permitted him to leave for “several weeks.”
Legal Troubles: Arrest and Charges in France
Durov’s legal entanglements began on August 24, 2024, when he was temporarily detained at Le Bourget Airport in Paris. French prosecutors accused him of operating a platform that allegedly facilitated unlawful activities. On August 28, 2024, France’s Prosecutor’s Office (Parquet de Paris) formally charged him with enabling illicit transactions via Telegram.
Authorities claimed that Durov could face up to 10 years in prison and a €500,000 ($550,000) fine if convicted. However, after posting a $6 million bail, he was released from custody on the same day. As part of his bail conditions, he was initially required to remain in France and appear before the court at the conclusion of the investigation.
The news of Durov’s departure had an immediate impact on the cryptocurrency market. Toncoin (TON), the native token of The Open Network (TON)—a blockchain project originally initiated by Telegram—experienced a significant surge, rising over 18% in market value, according to data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView.
Ongoing Uncertainty Surrounding the Case
There is speculation that Durov may have either settled his legal issues in France or received temporary permission to leave while proceedings continue. As of now, he has not publicly commented on his departure via social media, and the French government has yet to release an official statement regarding the situation.
His legal troubles also drew diplomatic attention. Shortly after his arrest, the Russian government expressed its willingness to assist him, emphasizing the complexity of the case, given that Durov holds Russian, French, and United Arab Emirates citizenships.
Durov’s exit from France marks another key event in the series of legal battles involving prominent Russian tech entrepreneurs worldwide. His case also underscores the ongoing debates about the responsibilities of digital platforms in regulating online content while navigating international legal frameworks.
