/wion/media/agency_attachments/2024/12/26/2024-12-26t112006978z-wion-white-logo-for-website-2-1.png){kind=logo}
/wion/media/agency_attachments/2024/12/13/2024-12-13t071548098z-wionlogo.webp)
/wion/media/member_avatars/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/2024/04/22/426599-whatsapp-image-2024-04-22-at-094450cee35520.jpg)
/wion/media/post_attachments/files/2024/08/27/451617-new-wion-29.jpg)
Paris, France
Telegram boss Pavel Durov was released from detention on Wednesday (August 28) after four days. He will now face a French court for possible charges of failing to curb extremist and illegal content on Telegram, the popular messaging app used by over 900 million users worldwide.
He was arrested by the French authorities on Saturday (August 24).
Also read | Honeytrap? Mossad agent? Who is Juli Vavilova, mystery woman rumoured to be behind Telegram CEO Pavel Durov
Pavel holds dual citizenship — UAE and France — and as per reports following his arrest, the United Arab Emirates has suspended a deal with France for the purchase of 80 warplanes. The country is seeking consular access to the Telegram boss.
Why was Durov arrested?
On X, formerly Twitter, French President Emmanuel Macron said that he was addressing "false information" concerning the case.
President Macron said that "the arrest of Telegram CEO on French soil took place as part of an ongoing judicial investigation."
"It is in no way a political decision. It is up to the judges to rule on the matter," he added.
I have seen false information regarding France following the arrest of Pavel Durov.
France is deeply committed to freedom of expression and communication, to innovation, and to the spirit of entrepreneurship. It will remain so.
In a state governed by the rule of law,…
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 26, 2024
Durov, a Russian-born billionaire with dual French-Russian citizenship, was arrested on Saturday after flying into Le Bourget airport outside Paris. The 39-year-old billionaire, as per reports, was flying from Azerbaijan.
Also read | Telegram gets probed by Indian govt for gambling and extortion, may face ban: Report
He has reportedly been arrested as part of a preliminary investigation into a number of alleged offences, including fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organised crime and promotion of terrorism on his platform.
France's OFMIN, a body tasked with preventing violence against minors, as per the news agency AFP, had issued an arrest warrant for Durov.
On Sunday (August 25), an investigating magistrate extended Durov's detention. In France, as per the law, the initial detention for questioning can last up to 96 hours and when this period ends, the magistrate can either free Durov or press charges and remand him in custody.
(With inputs from agencies)