One year has passed since Telegram founder Pavel Durov was arrested in France, yet the investigation still hasn’t presented any solid evidence against him or his company. Durov himself says the entire process feels like a “legal absurdity,” stressing that holding the head of a global platform responsible for the actions of its users is both unprecedented and irrational.

Constant restrictions remain part of his life. Durov revealed that he is forced to return to France every two weeks, despite the fact that no appeal date has been set. In his words, such treatment not only wastes time but also damages the country’s reputation on the international stage.

Background of the case shows a messy picture. Durov was first detained at Paris airport on August 24, 2024, and later released on €5 million bail. The charges against him were severe—12 counts ranging from fraud to aiding money laundering and even allowing the spread of child sexual abuse content through Telegram. French officials claimed he ignored repeated requests to curb criminal activity on the platform.

Legal uncertainty drags on. Earlier this year, Durov was granted limited permission to travel to Dubai, where Telegram’s headquarters are located, but each additional trip abroad requires separate judicial approval. The case remains in preliminary stages, and according to French prosecutors, it may take years before reaching court. Durov himself acknowledges that if it proceeds, he could be facing up to 10 years in prison.

Crypto community reaction was immediate. More than 2.3 million people signed an open letter demanding his release, while Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin criticized the detention as a threat to the future of software freedom in Europe. Toncoin, the native token of The Open Network, took a heavy hit—dropping nearly 44% over the year to about $3.1.

Business resilience has surprised many. Despite the turmoil, Telegram reported in late 2024 that the arrest did not significantly affect its operations. Rising crypto values on its balance sheet softened the blow, while former TON Foundation president Steve Yun pointed out that the ecosystem has become more independent from Durov.

The broader debate continues. Earlier this year, Durov openly criticized European regulators for pushing legislation that would weaken end-to-end encryption by creating backdoors. For many supporters, his case is not only about one entrepreneur but about the future of digital privacy and freedom.

Full report available at ForkLog.