Durov Dodges France Again: Court Greenlights Dubai Trip as Telegram (TGRM) Price Reacts

Pavel Durov's legal tango with France takes another twist—Dubai beckons as a court grants the Telegram founder travel rights. The crypto markets twitch in anticipation.

Another win for the 'Digital Nomad King'

Durov's playbook stays consistent: when regulators knock, he hops borders. This time, a French court folded its arms and waved him toward the UAE—just as Telegram's native token TGRM shows volatile moves.

Market shrugs—then remembers

Traders initially met the news with muted reaction—until the implications sank in. Another jurisdiction avoided, another precedent set for crypto founders playing regulatory hopscotch. 'Legal clarity' remains as elusive as Durov's tax residency.

Finance jab: Meanwhile, traditional investors still think 'stablecoin' refers to their 2% yield savings account.

TLDR

• French court approves Pavel Durov’s request to travel to Dubai for two weeks starting July 10
• This marks the second time Durov has been allowed temporary relief from judicial supervision since his August 2024 arrest
• French authorities previously denied Durov’s travel request in May for the Oslo Freedom Forum
• Durov remains under strict judicial supervision requiring twice-weekly police reporting and €5 million bail
• Telegram has modified its content moderation policies since the CEO’s arrest, now sharing user data with authorities

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has received approval from a French court to leave the country for two weeks and travel to Dubai, where his company maintains its headquarters.

The decision takes effect on July 10 and represents the second instance of temporary travel relief granted to Durov since his arrest in August 2024. Le Monde reported the court’s decision on Thursday.

Durov’s legal troubles began when he was arrested at Le Bourget Airport NEAR Paris. He faces charges related to a French investigation into Telegram’s alleged role in facilitating criminal activity.

French authorities argue that Telegram’s limited content moderation creates opportunities for illegal behavior. They point to the platform’s encrypted communication features, disposable phone numbers, and crypto payment options as problematic elements.

The Telegram founder was released on €5 million bail but remains under judicial supervision. This requires him to report to police twice weekly and obtain court approval before traveling outside France.

French officials previously denied Durov’s travel request in May. He had planned to deliver a keynote address at the Human Rights Foundation’s Oslo Freedom Forum but was forced to participate remotely instead.

Travel Restrictions Spark Debate

The Human Rights Foundation criticized the travel restriction after Durov could not attend their Oslo event in person. Supporters viewed the denial as part of broader pressure on tech entrepreneurs facing legal scrutiny.

Durov was previously granted permission to leave France for several weeks in March and early April to return to Dubai. The Open Network Society celebrated this temporary travel relief as a victory for freedom of speech.

The case has attracted global attention from privacy advocates and tech industry figures. Edward Snowden and Elon Musk have both criticized French authorities, calling their actions an overreach.

Durov recently appeared on Tucker Carlson’s show to discuss his legal case and civil liberties concerns. He has also given interviews to French media outlets about his situation.

In a Wednesday interview with Le Point, Durov criticized French President Emmanuel Macron’s policies. He warned that pro-censorship policies and overregulation are driving talent away from France.

Platform Changes Under Legal Pressure

Since Durov’s arrest, Telegram has implemented changes to its content handling procedures. The platform now warns users about sharing prohibited material and may share IP addresses and phone numbers with authorities.

This represents a departure from Telegram’s previous privacy-focused approach to user data. The changes come as legal pressures mount on encrypted communication platforms.

The case continues to raise questions about platform accountability and user privacy. Tech industry observers are watching closely to see how the legal proceedings develop.

Meanwhile, interest has renewed in The Open Network, a blockchain project originally launched by Telegram under Durov’s leadership. Although TON was abandoned in 2020 due to US SEC pressure, it continues operating as a separate ecosystem.

Supporters view Durov’s legal battle as a test case for decentralized platforms. They are monitoring how far developers can be held responsible for their technologies’ usage.

The temporary Dubai travel approval is seen as a rare concession given Durov’s restricted status. His legal case in France continues while he remains under judicial supervision.