According to Cointelegraph, Telegram founder Pavel Durov announced that the company has consistently met and surpassed its legal obligations in areas such as moderation, cooperation, and crime prevention. On March 17, Durov shared an update on the messaging platform, revealing his return to Dubai after spending several months in France. He expressed relief at being back home, indicating that the legal process is still ongoing.
The announcement follows reports that Durov was permitted to leave France and return to Dubai. On March 15, sources reported that a French court had granted him permission to depart the country. Durov had been detained in Paris on August 24 as part of an investigation into Telegram, which was accused of facilitating illegal activities. In his post, Durov expressed gratitude to the judges for allowing his return and thanked his legal team for proving that Telegram had exceeded its legal responsibilities. He also acknowledged the support of his global community, emphasizing their resilience.
Durov's return to Dubai has had a significant impact on Toncoin, the native cryptocurrency of The Open Network (TON), which is closely linked to Telegram. Following his release, Toncoin experienced a surge, rising from $2.93 to $3.46 on March 15 and reaching a seven-day high of $3.59 on March 17. As of the latest update, Toncoin is trading at $3.41, as reported by CoinGecko. The TON Society, a grassroots organization supporting the TON blockchain, celebrated Durov's release, commending his dedication to freedom of speech and transparency. The group had previously appealed to French authorities for Durov's release, highlighting their unwavering support for the Telegram founder.