France has officially lifted all travel restrictions on Telegram founder Pavel Durov as of November 13, 2025, ending a year of mandatory police check-ins and movement restrictions. The dual French-Russian national, who was detained in Paris in August 2024, is now free to cross the border without judicial supervision.
This development is critical to the ongoing criminal investigation, and Durov could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison and fined more than $550,000.
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From detention to freedom: a timeline of Durov’s legal restrictions
Durov’s legal troubles began in August 2024, when authorities arrested him at Le Bourget airport in Paris. The charges included allegations that Telegram enabled organized crime through poor content moderation. French prosecutors accused the platform of refusing to cooperate with efforts focused on illegal content, particularly child sexual abuse material.
Durov was initially banned from leaving France and had to regularly report to police in Nice. Over the course of several months, restrictions were eased to allow short, controlled travel to the United Arab Emirates for up to two weeks. However, he remained under French jurisdiction to this day.
According to France 24 newspaper, Durov complied with all requirements for a year before authorities lifted both travel and judicial restrictions. As a result, all mandatory police check-ins and geographical restrictions on his movement were abolished.
Durov faced three interrogations by French authorities. His lawyers have consistently challenged the legitimacy and methodology of the investigation, arguing that it violated both national and European law.
Criminal investigations remain active even after restrictions end
Durov is free to travel, but a criminal investigation is ongoing. French authorities are investigating Telegram’s role in facilitating illegal trade, distributing images of child sexual abuse, and authorizing illegal content. The charges focus on complicity in organized crime, rather than direct involvement.
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The lawsuit depicts Telegram as a platform vulnerable to criminal abuse due to limited content moderation. During his interrogation in December 2024, Durov acknowledged that criminal abuse was increasing on Telegram and promised stronger oversight. The platform has since introduced additional moderation tools.
Telegram implemented an advanced AI-powered moderation system in early 2024, according to company documents. In 2025, the platform reported blocking more than 34 million groups and channels, indicating increased enforcement. These measures address frequent criticism that Telegram enables criminal networks.
Despite his compliance efforts, Durov still faces the risk of 10 years in prison and up to $550,000 in fines if convicted. The investigation could set an important precedent for platform liability in Europe, particularly regarding encrypted messaging services popular within the crypto community.
Durov criticizes French authorities, expresses concerns about freedom of speech
During the investigation, Durov publicly criticized French authorities and expressed concern about government overreach. He accused prosecutors of procedural errors and argued that his arrest damaged France’s reputation as a supporter of freedom. Durov characterized the case as an attack on free speech and encryption.
His defense has argued that Telegram acts as a neutral platform, not as a vehicle for a crime. Durov positions himself as a defender of privacy and freedom of expression and opposes censorship in Europe. This view resonated with cryptocurrency and privacy advocates who believe encrypted communications are essential to digital freedom.
Among Durov’s supporters, the reaction on social media to the lifting of the travel ban was positive. Nevertheless, the broader legal implications remain unresolved. Questions remain about the timing and outcome of the trial, as both Paris prosecutors and Durov’s legal team have declined to make public comments on the situation.
The case highlights continuing tensions between privacy-focused technology platforms and regulatory enforcement. The French investigation continues, and its findings could have implications for the regulation of messaging services across Europe and the liability of platforms for user content. For now, the restoration of Durov’s freedom of movement represents a partial victory, but the legal dispute is far from resolved.
