Telegram billionaire Pavel Durov is freed from custody in France but faces court appearance after Paris arrest

    Durov was arrested on Saturday at Le Bourget airport outside Paris as part of a judicial investigation opened last month into 12 alleged criminal offences

    • The 39-year-old will appear in court today to answer to possible charges

    Telegram magnate Pavel Durov has been released from police custody after four days of questioning, accused of using his platform for illegal activities.

    The 39-year-old billionaire is due in court today to answer possible charges over failing to combat extremist and illegal content on the popular messaging app following his arrest over the weekend.

    Durov was arrested on Saturday at Le Bourget airport, outside Paris, as part of a judicial investigation opened last month into 12 alleged offences.

    The Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office said: “An investigating judge has ended Pavel Durov’s detention and will bring him before a judge for a first appearance and possible charges.”

    Other allegations against Durov, who is a French national, include using his platform for child abuse material and drug trafficking, fraud and complicity in organized crime transactions. Telegram is also said to have refused to share information or documents with investigators when required by law.

    Durov was arrested on Saturday at Le Bourget airport outside Paris as part of a judicial investigation opened last month into 12 alleged criminal offences

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