Telegram CEO released from custody in Paris

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov was freed from police custody Wednesday and will appear in court following days of questioning over allegations that his messaging platform is being used for criminal activity, The Associated Press reported.

“An investigating judge has ended Pavel Durov’s police custody and will have him brought to court for a first appearance and a possible indictment,” the Paris prosecutor’s office said in a statement to the AP.

Durov, a dual citizen of France and Russia, was taken into custody Saturday night at the Paris-Le Bourget Airport, where he was detained on an arrest warrant over accusations the platform was used for money laundering, drug trafficking and other offenses.

Judges had until Wednesday morning to either charge him or release him.

The Hill reached out to the Paris prosecutor’s office for further comment.

The arrest came as part of a judicial investigation opened July 8 into an unnamed individual tied to charges of “complicity” with illegal transactions, possession and distribution of child pornography, possession and sale of narcotics, and organized fraud, among other charges.

Telegram, a messaging app that offers one-on-one conversations, group chats and large “channels,” is accused of being used to circulate child sexual abuse material, along with facilitating drug trafficking, organized crime transactions, fraud and criminal transactions, the AP reported. When investigators requested information or documents, Telegram allegedly refused when required to do so by law, AP added.

Durov and his brother Nikolai launched Telegram in 2013 and have grown the platform to more than 950 million users.

Telegram, in a statement, said it abides by the European Union’s laws and its moderation is “within industry standards and constantly improving.”

“It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform,” Telegram said. “Almost a billion users globally use Telegram as means of communication and as a source of vital information. We’re awaiting a prompt resolution of this situation. Telegram is with you all.”

Durov’s arrest was quickly decried in Russia, while some argued it represents an attack on freedom of speech.

French President Emmanuel Macron said Monday the country is “deeply committed to freedom of expression and communication, to innovation, and to the spirit of entrepreneurship.”

He maintained the arrest was not politically motivated, as some international and tech leaders have argued.

Telegram has been long scrutinized by Western governments, which claim a lack of content moderation leads to the potential proliferation of criminal activity on the platform.