FOGINT: Pavel Durov: A Waffling Borzoi with a Shock Collar Now?
December 11, 2024
Information from the FOGINT research team. No smart software involved.
Cointelegraph, one of the “future of money” news services covering crypto ran an interesting story on Saturday, December 7,2024. “Telegram Found Pavel Durov Questioned in Paris Court for First Time: Report.” We know this is a blog post about a write up sharing information from another source. Keep this dicey chain in mind.
The core of the story is that Pavel Durov was under the control of French authorities in August 2024. Wikipedia reports that Mr. Durov may have met with Vladimir Putin before jetting to Paris and landing at Paris-Le Bourget Airport. In the last three months, information about Mr. Durov’s and his lawyer’s interaction with the French authorities has been limited. After 90 days of having his movements restricted, Mr. Durov has been rumored to:
- Expressed a desire to cooperate with law enforcement when duly authorized requests for alleged bad actors is provided to “Telegram”, which is Mr. Durov for practical purposes. Pavel’s brother Nikolai seems pre-occupied with technical issues related to the Telegram platform.
- Telegram has apparently agreed to interact with organizations focused on preventing human trafficking and child sexual abuse material
- Reversing course on his statements about responding to government pressure. One example was Telegram’s blocking of Ukrainian content from Ukrainian government agencies to Telegram users in Russia and possibly other countries in the Russian Federation.
Here’s what Cointelegraph reported:
Durov appeared in a Parisian court at 10 am CET on Dec. 6, alongside his lawyers David-Olivier Kaminski and Christophe Ingrain.
The lawyers have offices at 126 Boulevard St. Germain. Kaminski’s Web site says:
We specialize in criminal defense. The Kaminski law firm has built up recognized expertise in all areas of criminal defense. We can represent our clients at any stages of the judicial procedure, including police custody, preliminary investigation, judicial information, criminal court and before the assize court). The firm defends individuals as well as companies, legal entities, or institutions (Non-governmental organizations, associations, professional bodies). Kaminski’s catchphrase is, “The culture and practice of criminal defense is respect for fundamental freedoms.” https://www.kaminskiavocats.com/
Christophe Ingrain is part of the defense team. He was / is affiliated with Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier. He was named one of the 30 most influential lawyers in France, and he appeared on a list of the “best layers” in France. His office is on Avenue Victor Hugo.
According to Cointelegraph:
An anonymous source familiar with the matter told the Agence France-Presse (AFP) that the questioning focused on the allegations tied to Telegram’s potential use for illicit transactions. When asked about the legal proceedings, Durov reportedly told the AFP that he “trusts the French justice” system but refused to elaborate on the case.
His “refusal” to comment means that the 40 year old with more than 100 children is listening to his French attorneys. He may also have been informed about France’s low profile prison system. La Santé was built in 1867 and entertains a number of high-risk criminals. For those who chat with French law enforcement officials, La Santé is often described as a place one goes but never leaves. This prison has a VIP section which is somewhat different from the VIP services available for online gamblers in pursuit of an ejunket. It is located in the 14th arrondissement. There are two other facilities in Paris as well. France also has some special purpose prisons located near military bases and allegedly a couple of in-ground facilities in North Africa. If “in-ground” does not resonate with you, you may not want to know the set at these alleged incarceration facilities. As a point of reference, French prisons are overcrowded but c’est dommage. As a rule of thumb one may want to avoid getting ensnared in the French judiciary or prison system. Red tape is a specialty of French bureaucrats, and it can be a challenging situation for defendants and their lawyers.
Cointelegram observes:
Industry insiders are worried that the case against Durov raises alarming concerns for privacy-preserving Web3 technologies.
The Web3 reference includes blockchain technology, distributed infrastructures like Telegram’s, distributed finance, and a number of other innovations. These can add to the investigative burden of law enforcement and tax authorities.
Durov has paid bail of $5 to $6 million. However, Cointelegraph points out:
If convicted, Durov could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of €500,000 ($550,000).
Was Durov’s interaction with French authorities an accident or coincidence? No. France allegedly began a preliminary investigation if February 2024. In July 2024 that was promoted to a judicial inquiry. In August, he was apprehended.
Sean Brizendine, a blockchain researcher, told Beyond Search:
Mr. Durov definitely appears to be listening to his high-power legal team. He is obviously aware that everything is at stake.
Net net: FOGINT wonders if the prosecution of CSAM perpetrators will ramp up as Durov demonstrates his willingness to cooperate. What’s at risk for Telegram is that the significant push into crypto services could be derailed. Other “free speech” advocates will create alternative services, but that will be expensive and time consuming. The core of Telegram is not available as open source software. Most cyber professionals are not aware of the scope of the Telegram platform.
Stephen E Arnold, December 11, 2024
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