Telegram CEO Pavel Durov was released by French authorities on Wednesday after being detained over allegations that the messaging platform was being used for illegal activities.
He is expected to face a court appearance soon, where a judge will decide if he will be formally investigated in connection with an ongoing probe into organized crime linked to the app.
According to a statement from the Paris prosecutor’s office, as reported by the Associated Press, “An investigating judge has concluded Pavel Durov’s police custody and will bring him to court for a preliminary appearance and potential indictment.”
Durov, 39, a Russian-born billionaire, was arrested on Saturday, August 24, at Le Bourget Airport in France after arriving from Azerbaijan on a private jet. His arrest followed an investigation initiated by France’s National Anti-Fraud Office on July 8.
The probe is looking into alleged criminal activities on Telegram, including drug trafficking, fraud, money laundering, the distribution of child sexual abuse material, facilitating criminal transactions, and non-cooperation with law enforcement.
In response to these allegations, Telegram has reiterated its adherence to European Union laws, including the Digital Services Act, asserting, “It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for misuse of that platform.”
Under French law, Durov was held in custody for up to 96 hours, the maximum duration permitted before formal charges must be filed.