Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov was released from police custody but is now under formal investigation and his bail is set at $5.56 Million, as informed by a French prosecutor.
A statement released Wednesday night revealed that Durov will not be allowed to leave France, as he has to remain in the country under judicial supervision, with a bail set at $5.56 million. Durov also needs to report to the French police station twice a week.
Local media have indicated that the formal investigation statement does not imply guilt in the French legal system, but implies that prosecutors find enough of a case for a serious official investigation.
Prosecutor’s statement claimed that the French National Office for Minors had initially reported the “near absence of response” from Telegram to judicial requests regarding crimes like trafficking, online hate speech, and pedophilia crimes.
Durov is being investigated on the suspects of offenses like complicity in illegal gang transactions, “laundering of crimes in an organized gang,” and denying to communicate information to authorities.
Durov’s arrest has triggered debates on freedom of speech and has garnered support form Elon Musk and other crypto biggies.
Russia criticized Paris for detaining Durov and UAE, too, as he holds citizenship of France as well as UAE.