France releases Telegram boss Durov on a €5 million bail

Telegram founder Pavel Durov has been released on bail after being arrested in France last week and after being questioned by an investigative judge, Paris prosecutors said on Wednesday evening.

Formal proceedings have been launched against Durov on suspicion of insufficient cooperation with authorities in criminal investigations and aiding and abetting criminal offences on his messaging app, among other things, the Paris public prosecutor's office said.

The Telegram boss was placed under judicial supervision and has been ordered to post €5 million ($5.5 million) in bail, prosecutors said.

He must also report to a police station twice a week and is not allowed to leave France.

Durov was detained after arriving at Paris' Le Bourget airport on Saturday upon arrival from Azerbaijan.

His arrest came amid a preliminary inquest into Telegram's lack of moderation and cooperation with law enforcement regarding drug trafficking, fraud and child-abuse offences on the social media platform, according to local media.

In a statement released following Durov's arrest, Telegram said the online messaging service was complying with EU laws and had not violated any regulations.

According to prosecutors, French authorities launched preliminary investigations into Durov some time ago, under suspicion that he was complicit in drug trafficking, fraud and several offences relating to child abuse due to a lack of intervention at Telegram and insufficient cooperation with the authorities.

It was initially unclear why Durov, who was born in Russia and holds French citizenship, had travelled to Paris while being wanted in France. Telegram, a popular messaging app, has long faced accusations of not taking a strong enough stance against hate speech and other illegal activities.

The investigation against Durov may ultimately lead to a criminal trial if the investigators believe there is sufficient evidence. Otherwise, the proceedings can be dropped.

According to the public prosecutor's office, Durov could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of €500,000 for the accusation of aiding and abetting illegal transactions on the messaging app alone.