Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, has been blocked from traveling to the Oslo Freedom Forum, where he was slated as a keynote speaker. A French court denied his travel request due to legal restrictions stemming from ongoing criminal charges.
The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) confirmed Durov will now appear remotely.
“At a time when digital rights are under threat, Durov’s absence sends a troubling message,” said HRF’s Thor Halvorssen.
Legal Challenges Deepen for Telegram’s Founder
Durov was indicted in September 2024 and remains under judicial supervision. Though once permitted to travel internationally, including a trip to Dubai, French prosecutors denied his recent requests to visit Norway and the U.S.
Authorities determined the trips lacked essential purpose, despite Durov’s active role in global tech events and venture meetings.
Durov Claims French State Tried to Censor Telegram
Durov recently alleged that France’s domestic intelligence chief, Nicolas Lerner, asked him to censor right-wing content ahead of Romania’s elections. Durov rejected the request and posted publicly:
“You can’t defend democracy by destroying it.”
He reiterated Telegram’s refusal to censor dissent, citing its record in repressive regimes like Russia, Belarus, and Iran.
Telegram Linked to $35B Crypto Crime Syndicates
Telegram has taken down major cybercrime groups following an expose by Elliptic, which connected the platform to over $35 billion in illicit transactions. The investigation identified:
- Huione Guarantee – linked to $27B in criminal transfers
- Xinbi Guarantee – tied to $8.4B in laundering
These groups used Telegram for money laundering, cyber extortion, and coordinating “pig butchering” scams, with ties to human trafficking operations in Southeast Asia.
What to Expect from Durov’s Remote Speech
Durov will now appear virtually at the Oslo event, where he is expected to discuss the growing role of governments in regulating platforms, and how tech companies can resist becoming tools of state censorship while balancing global compliance challenges.
