Telegram CEO Pavel Durov was released from police custody in France on Wednesday after a four-day detention over allegations that his messaging platform is being used for illegal activities.
An investigating judge ended Mr. Durov’s police custody and ordered him to appear in court for a possible indictment. Mr. Durov, a French citizen, was arrested on Saturday at Le Bourget airport outside Paris as part of a judicial inquiry opened last month involving 12 alleged criminal violations, including the use of Telegram for child sexual abuse material, drug trafficking, fraud, and organized crime transactions. French authorities also accused Telegram of refusing to share information or documents with investigators when required by law.
In a statement following his release, Telegram reiterated its compliance with European Union regulations and asserted that its content moderation practices are “in line with industry standards and continuously enhancing.” The company emphasized that Mr. Durov “has nothing to conceal and frequently travels throughout Europe.”
READ ALSO : Arrest of Telegram founder sparks debate about free speech online
The arrest of the Russian-born Telegram founder has drawn global attention to the messaging app’s significance, particularly for Russian troops and pro-war bloggers in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Since the Kremlin’s invasion in 2022, Telegram has become a vital platform for pro-war propagandists to justify Moscow’s actions.
While the app is also used by Ukraine, with President Volodymyr Zelensky sharing his nightly addresses on Telegram, it seems to lack the same military importance for Kyiv. Russian authorities have expressed concern that Mr. Durov’s detention could compromise the app’s encryption and lead to the development of alternative secure communication systems in Russia.
As the investigation continues, the case has sparked debates about the limits of digital free speech and the responsibility of social media companies for content on their platforms. Mr. Durov’s supporters, including billionaire Elon Musk, have described the arrest as an “assault on the basic human rights of speech and association.”
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