Telegram founder Pavel Durov will now have to appear in a Paris court after he was arrested at Paris’ Le Bourget airport. The Russian-born tech entrepreneur, who launched the popular messaging platform in 2013, was detained on Saturday over allegations that he failed to adequately address illegal content on Telegram, which now has around 950 million users.

Durov’s arrest and subsequent court appearance have sparked widespread debate, particularly in countries such as Ukraine and Russia, where Telegram plays a vital role in communications amid ongoing conflicts. Known for its minimal content moderation, the platform has been praised for allegedly allowing free and open communication and criticised for being exploited by extremist groups and those involved in illegal activities. The controversy has brought Durov and his platform under intense scrutiny from both legal and political authorities.

After being detained for 96 hours – the maximum period allowed under French law before formal charges can be laid – Durov was taken to a court in Paris. Reports, including one from CNN, noted that Durov was seen leaving an anti-fraud office outside Paris in a police vehicle on Wednesday afternoon. The Paris prosecutor’s office has confirmed that Durov will face preliminary questioning and could be formally indicted on charges relating to Telegram’s content moderation practices.

The case has attracted significant attention not only because of its implications for content moderation but also because of its potential impact on the broader issue of freedom of expression in the digital age. Telegram’s huge user base and its approach to minimal monitoring of content have made it an essential tool for a variety of groups, including military personnel and civilians in conflict zones. However, these same characteristics have also made the platform a target of scrutiny by governments concerned about its potential misuse.

French President Emmanuel Macron has commented on the situation, saying that the decision to file charges against Durov is “in no way political.”