Telegram CEO Durov released on 5 million euro bail

Pavel Durov, the 39-year-old Russian-born billionaire founder and owner of the world-famous messaging app Telegram, who has been in custody in France since August 24, was brought before a judge in the capital, Paris, after his detention period expired.

Durov, who faces charges as part of an investigation into Telegram, was released on the condition of paying 5 million euros in bail, reporting to the police twice a week, and not leaving France. Being placed under formal investigation indicates that judges believe there is sufficient evidence to continue the inquiry.

Sources close to the investigation reported that under the probe, which was launched secretly on July 8, Durov is being investigated on 12 criminal counts related to failing to prevent extremist and criminal content on Telegram. The allegations against Durov include that Telegram is used for child sexual abuse and drug trafficking, and that Telegram has refused to share information or documents in investigations despite being legally required to do so.

HE WAS DETAINED AT THE AIRPORT

Durov, who was detained shortly after landing at Le Bourget Airport near Paris on a private jet from Azerbaijan on the evening of August 24, was taken into custody as part of a preliminary investigation into claims that numerous crimes were allowed to be committed on the platform due to a lack of moderation and a failure to cooperate with the police.

The 39-year-old billionaire, often referred to as “Russia’s Mark Zuckerberg,” holds dual citizenship in France and the United Arab Emirates. Durov, whose net worth is estimated by Forbes at 15.5 billion dollars, said last April that some governments had tried to pressure him, but that the application should remain a neutral platform rather than a “geopolitical player.”