Durov speaks out for first time since arrest in France

The Telegram founder said its was wrong to charge him with crimes allegedly committed on his platform

Telegram owner Pavel Durov has said that the French authorities used “surprising” arguments when they arrested him at a Paris airport last month.

The Russian-French businessman was detained after landing at Paris-Le Bourget Airport on August 24 and released on bail several days later. He was charged with 12 counts, including complicity in distributing child porn, drug dealing and money laundering. The charges stem from the accusation that Telegram’s lax moderation rules allow for the widespread use of the platform by criminals.

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