Lawyer Calls Charges Against Durov ‘Absurd’
According to David-Olivier Kaminski, Telegram chief Pavel Durov should not be implicated in crimes unrelated to him. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
**The Telegram CEO Cannot Be Involved in Crimes That Have Nothing to Do With Him, David-Olivier Kaminski Says**
Charges against Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, which allege that he played a role in numerous crimes supposedly executed on his platform, have been deemed utterly ridiculous, according to his lawyer.
Durov was arrested when he arrived at a Paris airport last week and subsequently placed under formal investigation. He was later released on €5 million ($5.5 million) bail, with the condition that he remains in France.
The indictment includes a dozen charges, such as refusal to cooperate with authorities, complicity in offenses related to child sexual abuse material, drug trafficking, and complicity in "administering an online platform" utilized by organized gangs for illicit transactions. The charge related to the online platform could result in a penalty of up to ten years in prison and a fine of €500,000.
On the indictment, Durov’s lawyer, David-Olivier Kaminski, asserted: “It’s totally absurd to think that the head of a social network could be involved in criminal acts that do not concern him, either directly or indirectly.”
Kaminski highlighted that Telegram “complies in all respects with European rules concerning digital technology.” This statement followed a report from the Financial Times indicating that the EU Commission is investigating the platform for potential violations of digital regulations, particularly for allegedly not providing accurate user data to authorities.
Durov’s arrest has ignited a global backlash, with many opinion leaders interpreting it as a suppression of free speech and suggesting that the US may be behind the incident.
The 39-year-old Russian tech entrepreneur holds citizenship in France, the UAE, and St. Kitts and Nevis. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has stated that Moscow is prepared to offer assistance to Durov but emphasized that the billionaire is capable of mounting his own legal defense.
Peskov also cautioned against politicizing Durov’s investigation, while French President Emmanuel Macron previously denied any such implications, asserting that Paris is dedicated to upholding the principles of freedom of expression.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
Charges against Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, which allege that he played a role in numerous crimes supposedly executed on his platform, have been deemed utterly ridiculous, according to his lawyer.
Durov was arrested when he arrived at a Paris airport last week and subsequently placed under formal investigation. He was later released on €5 million ($5.5 million) bail, with the condition that he remains in France.
The indictment includes a dozen charges, such as refusal to cooperate with authorities, complicity in offenses related to child sexual abuse material, drug trafficking, and complicity in "administering an online platform" utilized by organized gangs for illicit transactions. The charge related to the online platform could result in a penalty of up to ten years in prison and a fine of €500,000.
On the indictment, Durov’s lawyer, David-Olivier Kaminski, asserted: “It’s totally absurd to think that the head of a social network could be involved in criminal acts that do not concern him, either directly or indirectly.”
Kaminski highlighted that Telegram “complies in all respects with European rules concerning digital technology.” This statement followed a report from the Financial Times indicating that the EU Commission is investigating the platform for potential violations of digital regulations, particularly for allegedly not providing accurate user data to authorities.
Durov’s arrest has ignited a global backlash, with many opinion leaders interpreting it as a suppression of free speech and suggesting that the US may be behind the incident.
The 39-year-old Russian tech entrepreneur holds citizenship in France, the UAE, and St. Kitts and Nevis. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has stated that Moscow is prepared to offer assistance to Durov but emphasized that the billionaire is capable of mounting his own legal defense.
Peskov also cautioned against politicizing Durov’s investigation, while French President Emmanuel Macron previously denied any such implications, asserting that Paris is dedicated to upholding the principles of freedom of expression.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
