Telegram founder Pavel Durov. ARCHIVE

Pavel Durov, the Dubai-based billionaire founder of Telegram, has been released from police detention in Paris. A French court ruled to grant conditional release to Durov. He must remain in France under judicial supervision, with a bail set at $5.56 million (Dh20.4 million) and is required to report the French police station twice a week. Durov has been charged for complicity in the spread of sexual images of children and other crimes, and accused of enabling organized criminals to carry out unlawful transactions on Telegram. Durov, who holds dual UAE and French citizenship, was taken into custody on Sunday (August 25) at Le Bourget airport outside Paris. He was apprehended by French authorities on his private jet due to an outstanding arrest warrant linked to an ongoing preliminary investigation. French President Emmanuel Macron stressed in a statement that Durov's arrest was not the result of a political decision, but rather came within the framework of an independent judicial investigation. Macron added that France is “fully committed to freedom of expression and communication, and that judicial investigations will determine whether Durov is guilty or innocent, and the government will not interfere in the course of justice.” On Tuesday, the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the UAE is "closely following" the case and had requested the French government to provide Durov with all necessary consular support. MOFA emphasized that ensuring the welfare of UAE citizens, protecting their interests, and offering comprehensive support are top priorities for the UAE. Reports indicate that the investigation focuses on allegations that Telegram, under Durov’s leadership, failed to implement adequate moderation measures, potentially allowing criminal activities to go unchecked on the platform. Telegram, known for its strong emphasis on privacy and user rights, has about 900 million users globally, making it one of the most widely used messaging apps in the world. Durov co-founded Telegram in 2013 with his brother Nikolai. Originally from Russia, Durov left his home country in 2014 after refusing to comply with Russian government orders to shut down opposition communities on his previous social media platform, VKontakte. Following his departure from Russia, Durov, whose net worth is estimated by Forbes to be $15.5 billion, sought a new base for Telegram. He spent time in various cities including Berlin, London, Singapore, and San Francisco before eventually choosing Dubai as his residence. ICA/Expat Media
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