Despite his release from prison, Telegram founder Pavel Durov is not in the clear yet.
A French prosecutor announced on Wednesday night that Durov is now facing a formal investigation and has been barred from leaving the country.
The Russian-born billionaire is being probed for his alleged role in various criminal activities on the platform, including facilitating illegal gang transactions, money laundering, and failing to cooperate with authorities by withholding crucial information.
The Statement added that Durov remains in the country under judicial supervision, with a bail set at $5.56 million (5 million euros), and is required to report to the French police station twice a week.
The Russian Billionaire was released from France police custody on Wednesday and transferred to court for questioning, prosecutors told CNN.
It was learned that the formal investigation announced Wednesday evening does not imply guilt in the French legal system but indicates that prosecutors believe there is enough of a case to merit a serious official investigation. He has not yet been formally charged.
Also, the prosecutor’s office statement added that the French National Office for Minors has reported to the prosecutor’s office the “near absence of response” from Telegram to court requests concerning offenses that include trafficking, online hate speech, and pedophilia crimes.
The suspected acts being probed include “complicity in the administration of a platform enabling an illegal transaction in an organized gang,” an offense that can carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
French officials accused Russia of attempting to destabilise it ahead of the Paris Olympics in retaliation to its more aggressive attitude on the Ukraine conflict, which Russia has rejected.
Durov's imprisonment was prolonged by 48 hours late Monday, according to a representative for the Paris prosecutor's office on Tuesday. Following that, prosecutors must decide whether to charge or release him.
According to French law, if someone is charged, judges must consider his flight risk status when determining whether he should be held in pre-trial detention.
The investigation is about a lack of moderation, with Durov accused of failing to take steps to curb criminal uses of Telegram.
The Telegram app is said to have failed to cooperate with law enforcement over drug trafficking, child sexual content, and fraud. Telegram has previously denied having insufficient moderation.
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