French authorities have extended the detention of Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov after he was arrested at a Paris airport over allegations that his messaging app facilitates criminality including money laundering and drug trafficking.
An investigating magistrate ordered that Durov, 39, have his detention extended beyond Sunday night, the AFP news agency reported, citing an unnamed source close to the investigation.
Durov can be held for questioning for up to 96 hours, after which he must be charged or released from custody.
Local sources said that Durov had been travelling on his private jet from Azerbaijan and that a French arrest warrant targeted him as part of a preliminary investigation.
France’s OFMIN, an agency tasked with combating violence against minors, is investigating Russian-born Durov in a probe into alleged offences including fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organised crime and promotion of terrorism, according to the AFP, which quoted officials speaking on condition of anonymity.
The Franco-Russian billionaire is accused of failing to halt the use of his app for criminality.
TF1 TV and BFM TV, both quoting unidentified sources, said the investigation is focused on a lack of moderation on the platform.
Telegram said that Durov “has nothing to hide” and travels frequently in Europe.
“Telegram abides by EU laws, including the Digital Services Act — its moderation is within industry standards,” the platform said in a statement. “It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform.”
The Russian embassy in France has demanded consular access to Durov and demanded that his rights be ensured, Russian state news agency TASS reported.The embassy said France has so far “avoided engagement” on the situation with Durov. Russian diplomats are in contact with Durov’s lawyer, the embassy said. Al Jazeera