Durov Pavel, Telegram’s CEO, has been released from police custody in France after being questioned for four days. He was arrested at Le Bourget airport outside Paris on Saturday, as part of an inquiry into alleged criminal violations. French prosecutors have ended Durov’s police custody, and he will appear in court for his first appearance and possible indictment.
Allegations against Durov include illegal activities on the Telegram platform, such as child pornography (human trafficking), drug trafficking, fraud, and aiding organized crime. Durov’s arrest has sparked controversy in Russia, with government officials claiming political motivation.
However, French President Emmanuel Macron insists the arrest was part of an independent investigation, highlighting France’s commitment to freedom of expression within its laws.
Telegram operates within EU regulations and moderates content according to industry standards. Despite boasting nearly 1 billion global users, the company faces criticism from Western governments for inadequate content moderation.
