Telegram boss banned from leaving France in criminal probe

YEREVAN, AUGUST 29, ARMENPRESS. Telegram boss and founder Pavel Durov has been placed under formal investigation in France as part of a probe into organised crime on the messaging app, the BBC reported citing Paris prosecutors.

Durov, 39, has not been remanded in custody, but placed under judicial supervision, and has to pay a €5m (£4.2m; $5.6m) deposit.

The Russian-born billionaire, who is also a French national, also has to show up at a French police station twice a week and is not allowed to leave French territory.

Durov was first detained upon arrival at Le Bourget airport north of Paris last Saturday under a warrant for offences related to the app.

In Wednesday's statement, the Paris prosecutors said Mr Durov was put under formal investigation over alleged offences that included: complicity in the administration of an online platform to enable illicit transactions by an organised gang, refusal to communicate with authorities, complicity in organised criminal distribution of sexual images of children.

In France, being put under formal investigation does not imply guilt or necessarily result in a trial - but it indicates that judges consider there is enough of a case to proceed with an investigation.

Durov has so far made no public comments on the latest developments.

His lawyer, David-Olivier Kaminski, said Telegram complied in every respect with European digital regulations and was moderated to the same standards as other social networks.

It was "absurd" to suggest his client could be involved "in criminal acts that don't concern him either directly or indirectly", he added.