Tengrinews.kz - French prosecutors has charged the founder of 'VKontakte' and Telegram, Pavel Durov, with facilitating various forms of criminal activity through the app he created, citing BFMTV.
Pavel Durov, who was detained in Paris, was brought to court on Wednesday to be formally charged. He is suspected of committing 12 crimes related to organized crime and inaction against the distribution of criminal content on Telegram.
French prosecutors released Durov from custody under judicial supervision after the charges were presented. He is prohibited from leaving France during the investigation.
Prosecutors stated that one of the charges—complicity in administering an online platform enabling illegal transactions by an organized group—carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of 500,000 euros.
"RIA” published a video of Durov leaving the courthouse. He departed in a private black minivan. The Telegram founder refused to answer reporters' questions, according to the publication.
Until his trial, Durov will remain free on bail of 5 million euros, with a ban on leaving France and an obligation to check in with the police twice a week, according to the Paris prosecutor's office as reported by NBC News.
Earlier, in response to the charges against its chief, Telegram assured that the application 'complies with EU law.'
Recall that the founder of Telegram was detained as part of a judicial investigation into his refusal to 'provide information necessary for lawful interception,' complicity in offenses and crimes organized on the platform (such as drug trafficking, child pornography, fraud, and money laundering by organized gangs).
On Wednesday, August 28, Durov was brought to court for arraignment.
Earlier, it was reported that a criminal lawsuit had been filed against Pavel Durov in Switzerland.
The UAE has issued a demand to France regarding the arrest of Pavel Durov.
