Telegram founder Pavel Durov is now under formal investigation and has been ordered to remain in France, according to a statement from the French prosecutor released Wednesday night.
Durov, a Russian-born billionaire, is being investigated for several suspected offenses related to criminal activity on the platform.
These include alleged complicity in illegal gang transactions, “laundering of crimes in an organized gang,” and failure to cooperate with authorities.
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He is required to stay in France under judicial supervision, with a bail set at $5.56 million (5 million euros), and must report to the French police twice a week.
Earlier on Wednesday, Durov was released from police custody and transferred to court for questioning following his dramatic arrest at a Paris airport.
While the formal investigation does not equate to guilt, it signifies that prosecutors believe there is enough evidence to warrant a serious inquiry.
Durov has not yet been formally charged.
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The prosecutor’s statement also highlighted concerns raised by the French National Office for Minors regarding Telegram’s insufficient response to court requests about offenses including trafficking, online hate speech, and pedophilia.
The investigation is looking into suspected crimes such as “complicity in managing a platform enabling illegal transactions in an organized gang,” which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Durov was detained at Paris’s Bourget Airport on Saturday on a warrant related to Telegram’s moderation issues. He faces allegations that his platform aided fraudsters, drug traffickers, and individuals spreading child pornography.
Telegram’s lack of content moderation has also drawn scrutiny for its use by terrorist groups and far-right extremists.
Placed in custody for up to 96 hours, the maximum allowed under French law before charges must be filed, Durov’s arrest has sparked debates over freedom of speech, particularly in Ukraine and Russia, where Telegram is a key communication tool amid ongoing conflicts.
Russia has criticized France for Durov’s detention. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova accused the French leadership of disregarding international norms on free speech.
The Kremlin has attempted to reassure Russian users about the app’s future, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov urging them not to delete sensitive messages.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated on Monday that the charges against Durov were “in no way political,” marking a rare direct intervention by a French leader in a judicial matter.
Founded in 2013 by Durov and his brother Nikolai, Telegram now boasts over 950 million users, making it one of the most popular messaging platforms globally.
The app’s encryption means that both law enforcement and Telegram itself have limited ability to monitor user activity.
Durov, born in the Soviet Union in 1984 and known as the “Mark Zuckerberg of Russia,” left the country in 2014.
He now resides in Dubai, where Telegram is headquartered, and holds French citizenship. He has an estimated net worth of $9.15 billion, according to Bloomberg, and has led a high-profile lifestyle.
While his app has been praised for promoting free speech and providing secure communication in restrictive environments, critics argue it has also become a refuge for coordinating illicit activities, including those behind the Paris terror attacks in November 2015.
“You cannot make it safe against criminals and open for governments,” Durov told CNN in 2016. “It’s either secure or not secure.”
