Telegram CEO Pavel Durov released on USD 5.6m bail, officially placed under investigation by French authorities

Telegram co-founder and CEO Pavel Durov, who was arrested by local police on Saturday in France, was released on a five million euro (about USD 5.6 million) bail. However, the 39-year-old will have to report to police twice a week, reports said citing Paris Public Prosecutor Laure Beccuau.

Durov, a Russian entrepreneur, is officially placed under investigation on six charges. Authorities have prohibited him from leaving France during the course of the investigation.

As per reports, the Telegram co-founder is accused of 12 criminal offences, which also includes his failure to act against Telegram users who were involved in cyberbullying, sharing podophilic content and glorifying terrorism.

The arrest follows a judicial investigation that opened on July 8, 2024.

Meanwhile, responding to the arrest of its CEO, Telegram said on X that it “abides by European Union (EU) laws, including the Digital Services Act”.

“Telegram’s CEO Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe. It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform. Almost a billion users globally use Telegram as means of communication and as a source of vital information. We’re awaiting a prompt resolution of this situation. Telegram is with you all,” part of the tweet read.

French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted on Monday that Durov’s arrest is “in no way a political decision”.

“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, freedoms are upheld within a legal framework, both on social media and in real life, to protect citizens and respect their fundamental rights.

“It is up to the judiciary, in full independence, to enforce the law. The arrest of the president of Telegram 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,” Macron tweeted.

After the arrest of its citizen, the Russian embassy in Paris has demanded consular access to Durov.

Meanwhile, tech billionaire Elon Musk and Edward Snowden, former US National Security Agency contractor, condemned Durov’s arrest on Sunday.