Telegram CEO transferred to French court after 4-day police custody
What's the story
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov (39) has been released from custody by French police and transferred to court for questioning, following his arrest on allegations of the messaging platform being used for illicit activities.
The Russian-born billionaire was taken into custody on Saturday at Le Bourget Airport in the French captial after arriving on a private plane from Azerbaijan.
He would now face "initial questioning and possible indictment" at a court in Paris.
Investigation details
Durov's arrest followed a probe into alleged criminal activities
Durov's arrest was the result of an investigation initiated by France's National Anti-Fraud Office on July 8.
French authorities are investigating allegations of criminal activities on Telegram, including drug trafficking, fraud, money laundering, the distribution of child sexual abuse material, aiding and abetting criminal transactions, and obstructing justice
In response to these allegations, Telegram stated that it is "absurd" to hold a platform or its owner accountable for misuse of that platform.
Company response
Telegram's stance on the investigation
Telegram has defended itself against the allegations, stating that it "abides by European Union laws, including the Digital Services Act."
The company emphasized that it is not responsible for any abuse of its platform.
Durov was held in custody for up to 96 hours, the maximum duration allowed under French law before charges must be filed.
If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison.
Wider implications
Durov's arrest sparks debate on freedom of speech
The arrest of Durov has sparked a debate over freedom of speech and raised concerns, particularly in Ukraine and Russia, where Telegram is widely used as a key communication tool for military personnel and citizens amid Moscow's ongoing war with Ukraine.
French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the controversy on Monday, stating that the decision to press charges against Durov was "in no way political," marking a rare instance of a French leader commenting on a judicial matter.
User base
Telegram's global user base and Durov's personal background
Telegram, launched in 2013 by Durov and his brother Nikolai, is one of the world's most widely used messaging platforms with over 950 million users as of July 2024.
The billionaire resides in Dubai where Telegram is based and holds dual citizenship of France and UAE.
An entrepreneur with at least $15.5 billion in his kitty, Durov left Russia in 2014 after refusing to obey government demands to ban opposition communities on his VKontakte social media platform.