- Pavel Durov faced a fourth round of questioning in France’s ongoing Telegram criminal probe.
- Durov’s lawyers say prosecutors have presented no evidence and are challenging the case.
- Telegram says cooperation with French authorities has improved, but the investigation remains ongoing.
Telegram founder Pavel Durov has been questioned for a fourth time by French investigating judges as authorities continue their criminal investigation into the messaging platform.
According to sources, Durov spent more than six hours answering questions in Paris on Wednesday. It was his fourth interrogation since he was formally charged in 2024.
The case focuses on allegations that Telegram failed to properly moderate illegal content and cooperate with law enforcement.
Defense Says Prosecutors Have No Evidence
After the latest questioning, Durov’s legal team said prosecutors have still not presented evidence to support the charges.
“Nearly two years after Pavel Durov was formally charged, there is still no evidence to support these accusations,” said lawyers Christophe Ingrain, Robin Binsard, and Guillaume Martine.
The lawyers also said they have filed legal complaints in France and with European judicial authorities, challenging the case against the billionaire entrepreneur.
French Probe Remains Active
French authorities arrested Durov at Paris’ Le Bourget Airport on Aug. 24, 2024. They accused him of failing to prevent criminal activity on Telegram.
Investigators argue that weak content moderation and limited cooperation with law enforcement allowed crimes such as child sexual abuse material distribution, drug trafficking, and fraud to flourish on the platform.
During a court appearance in December 2024, Durov acknowledged that criminals had used Telegram. However, he said they represented only “a tiny fraction” of the platform’s users. He also argued that Telegram was never designed to facilitate criminal activity.
Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said in May 2026 that the investigation is still ongoing. Durov also remains under judicial control.
Travel Restrictions Eased, Pressure Continues
French authorities lifted Durov’s travel restrictions in November 2025. He is now free to travel after previously being limited to trips to Dubai, where he lives. However, the criminal investigation remains active.
Telegram said on Wednesday that its cooperation with French authorities has improved. The company said the main change since Durov’s arrest is that French officials now submit legal requests through the proper channels.
The platform also faces regulatory pressure elsewhere. Russian authorities have slowed access to Telegram since February 2026 over alleged legal violations. Voice calls on Telegram and WhatsApp have also been blocked since August 2025, citing concerns that fraudsters were using the services.
Earlier this year, Durov disclosed that Russian authorities had opened a separate criminal case against him, alleging that he facilitated terrorism.
Related: Telegram Founder Durov Ties 41 French Crypto Kidnappings to Tax Leaks
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