French judicial authorities have extended the detention of Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov following his surprise arrest at Paris’ Le Bourget airport on Saturday.
The list of charges include fraud, drug trafficking, organized crime, terrorism promotion and cyber-bullying on the popular encrypted messaging platform. “It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform,” the company has said in a fresh statement.
The 39-year old Russian-born Durov, who also holds French and UAE citizenship, is being held for “questioning”. Le Monde is reporting Monday that his detention has been extended by the investigative magistrate.
His detention “was extended beyond Sunday night by the investigating magistrate who is handling the case, according to a source close to the investigation.”
Quote:“This initial period of detention for questioning can last up to a maximum of 96 hours,” Le Monde continues. “When this phase of detention ends, the judge can then decide to free him or press charges and remand in further custody.”
So at this point the initial 48 hours was extended to the max of 96 hours, during which time the judge must charge him or release. However, in more serious cases the detention period can reportedly be extended for up to 144 hours, or six days.
Today’s Russian papers on Pavel Durov’s detention in Paris:
* “The blow to Telegram threatens to become a blow to Russia.”
* “Telegram might become a tool of Nato…”
* “If Telegram crashes, how will [our army] fight?"#ReadingRussia pic.twitter.com/q4IYalPjHM— Steve Rosenberg (@BBCSteveR) August 26, 2024
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/france-extends-detention-telegram-ceo-pavel-durov-questioning
h/t Guest