French prosecutors have denied Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov, who is under investigation for complicity in criminal activities, permission to travel to Oslo to attend a conference, Agence France-Presse reported, citing a statement from the prosecutor's office.
The Human Rights Foundation, which organizes the Oslo Freedom Forum, announced the denial in a press release yesterday. Durov had been invited to speak at the annual meeting "on freedom of expression, surveillance and digital rights."
"It is regrettable that the French justice system is preventing Durov from participating in an event where his voice would be so useful," the statement said. "Technologies like "Telegram" are essential tools for those who oppose tyranny."
Durov will still speak at the event via videoconference from France.
In mid-May, French courts had already refused to allow Durov to travel to the United States to meet with investors. He was, however, granted permission to travel to Dubai from mid-May until April.