(OSLO May 24, 2025) – A French court has denied Telegram founder Pavel Durov’s request to travel to Norway in order to speak at the Oslo Freedom Forum on Tuesday, May 27. Durov had been invited to speak at the global gathering of activists, hosted annually by the Human Rights Foundation (HRF), on the topic of free speech, surveillance, and digital rights.
“It is unfortunate that French courts would block Mr. Durov from participating in an event where his voice is so needed,” HRF founder and CEO Thor Halvorssen said. “Technologies like Telegram are basic tools for those resisting tyranny. This is more than a disappointment for our community; it is a setback for freedom.”
Durov is the founder of the encrypted messaging app Telegram, used daily by hundreds of millions of people worldwide, especially under authoritarian regimes. Durov was arrested in August 2024 by French authorities over criminal conduct allegedly carried out via Telegram. Although Durov is not personally accused of committing any crimes, prosecutors argue that his legal responsibility stems from the platform’s use by others. Durov has been released on bail as the case remains unresolved.
French authorities have previously granted Durov permission to leave the country, making this particular court decision as unexpected as it is upsetting to the Oslo Freedom Forum community and advocates of free expression. Beyond a keynote speech, HRF and Durov had plans for him to join sideline meetings with dozens of human rights defenders from totalitarian regimes to discuss how Telegram technology could be more helpful in the future.
Durov has lived in exile from Russia since 2014, when he refused to comply with demands from Russia’s Federal Security Service to hand over user data on Ukrainian protestors. Since then, he has emerged as a vocal critic of digital surveillance and government overreach.
Although barred from attending in person, Durov will now address the Oslo Freedom Forum virtually. His keynote will be streamed live on Tuesday, May 27, at 12:05 p.m. via oslofreedomforum.com.
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