French authorities have granted Pavel Durov, the Russian-born founder and CEO of Telegram, temporary permission to leave France amid an ongoing investigation into alleged criminal activities facilitated through the messaging platform.

Durov, who had been under a travel ban since his arrest in August 2024, is reported to have departed for Dubai on Saturday morning. ​

According to Reuters, an investigating judge authorized Durov's temporary leave for several weeks. Durov was initially arrested at Le Bourget Airport near Paris in August 2024 and subsequently placed under formal investigation, facing charges including complicity in the administration of a platform enabling illicit transactions and dissemination of illegal content.

He was released on bail set at 5 million euros, with conditions that included a prohibition on leaving France and mandatory bi-weekly check-ins at a local police station.

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The investigation has strained relations between Paris and Moscow, especially amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and has sparked debates over the boundaries of free speech and law enforcement on internet platforms. French prosecutors allege that Telegram's minimal moderation policies have allowed the platform to be used for activities such as drug trafficking and money laundering.

This development raises questions about the responsibilities of platform operators in monitoring and controlling illegal activities conducted through their services. The outcome of this case may set significant precedents for how digital platforms are regulated and held accountable in the future.