Pavel Durov, the founder and chief of Telegram, is set to learn Wednesday whether he will face charges and even be remanded in custody after his weekend arrest by French authorities over alleged violations at the messaging app.
Durov, 39, was arrested at Le Bourget airport outside Paris late Saturday, and while the judicial authorities have repeatedly extended his initial period of detention, it can last a maximum of 96 hours.
As part of a probe that was confidentially opened on July 8, Durov is being investigated on suspicion of 12 offences related to failing to curb extremist content on Telegram, sources close to the investigation have said.
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The tech mogul founded Telegram as he was in the process of quitting his native Russia a decade ago. Its growth has been exponential, with the app now boasting over 900 million users.
An enigmatic figure who rarely speaks in public, Durov is a citizen of Russia, France and the United Arab Emirates, where Telegram is based.
Forbes magazine estimates his current fortune at $15.5 billion, though he proudly promotes the virtues of an ascetic life that includes ice baths and not drinking alcohol or coffee.
Numerous questions have been raised about the timing and circumstances of Durov’s detention, in particular why he flew into Paris apparently knowing a warrant had been issued against him.
In a post on X to address what he called “false information” concerning the case, French President Emmanuel Macron said Durov’s arrest “took place as part of an ongoing judicial investigation”.
“It is in no way a political decision. It is up to the judges to rule on the matter,” he wrote.
In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the charges were very serious and thus needed “no less serious evidence”.
“Otherwise this would be a direct attempt to restrict freedom of communication, and, I might even say, directly intimidate the head of a large company,” he said.
The UAE meanwhile said it was “closely following the case” and had requested consular access for its citizen.
When the initial 96-hour questioning period ends, the investigating magistrate can either free Durov or press charges and remand him in custody.
He could also be freed under judicial control that could include restrictions on his movements.
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