Court Blocks Pavel Durov from Attending Oslo Freedom Forum
A court has denied Pavel Durov’s request to attend the Oslo Freedom Forum, where he was scheduled to speak on digital rights and surveillance. However, Durov will deliver his speech remotely.
On May 24, 2025, it was reported that a French court denied Telegram founder Pavel Durov permission to travel to Norway for the Oslo Freedom Forum. Durov had been scheduled to deliver a keynote address focused on digital rights, freedom of expression, and the role of technology in resisting authoritarianism.
According to forum organizers, French authorities had previously permitted Durov to travel abroad, making the court’s decision both unexpected and controversial. Despite the travel ban, Durov will still participate in the event remotely. His keynote is scheduled for May 27 and will be broadcast live.
Since August 2024, French authorities have been investigating Pavel Durov for allegedly allowing criminal activity on Telegram. While Durov has not been formally charged with any crime, prosecutors deem him legally accountable for how users engage with the platform.
Related: Pavel Durov: The “Web-Totem,” an Architect of Telegram and VK
According to investigators, administrators of digital platforms should be held responsible for how their technologies are used—particularly when tied to illegal activity. Durov was briefly detained during the proceedings but was later released on bail. The case remains under investigation.
Human Rights Foundation and Global Community Respond
The Human Rights Foundation (HRF), organizer of the Oslo Freedom Forum, issued a sharp rebuke of the French court’s decision. HRF founder Thor Halvorssen called the ruling “a blow to freedom” and expressed disappointment that Pavel Durov would be unable to attend the event in person:
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.
In addition to his scheduled keynote, Durov had planned to meet with human rights advocates and activists from authoritarian regimes to explore ways to strengthen Telegram as a platform for digital resistance. Those discussions will now take place remotely.
Telegram, Digital Rights, and the Broader Implications
The travel ban against Pavel Durov has reignited a systemic debate over the legal accountability of digital platform founders for the actions of their users. Telegram remains a critical communication tool for millions worldwide, particularly in authoritarian states.
Related: France Issues Arrest Warrant for Nikolai Durov, Pavel’s Brother
Despite the absence of formal charges against Durov himself, the French court’s decision could set a troubling precedent, restricting freedom of movement based on the behavior of third parties using a tech platform.
Moreover, the case highlights how political pressure and judicial constraints can impact the participation of key figures from the digital space in international human rights efforts. Durov’s situation is expected to intensify the broader conversation around the status of tech companies and the role of their founders in the global fight for digital freedom.
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