Pavel Durov, founder and CEO of Telegram. File | Photo credit: Reuters
French prosecutors were released on Wednesday (August 28, 2024) Telegram CEO Pavel Durov was released from police custody after four days of questioning over allegations the platform was being used for illegal activities.
Mr Durov was detained at Le Bourget airport outside Paris on Saturday (August 24, 2024) as part of a judicial investigation that began last month into 12 alleged criminal violations.
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“The investigating judge has terminated the police custody of Pavel Durov and he will be brought to court for a first appearance and possible indictment,” the Paris prosecutor’s office said in a statement.
Other allegations against Mr Durov, a French citizen, include that his platform is being used to promote child sexual abuse material and drug trafficking, fraud and organised crime transactions and that Telegram has refused to share information or documents with investigators even when required by law.