Pavel Durov, the founder of the popular messaging app Telegram, was transferred from police custody to a court in France for questioning on Wednesday, August 28, following his arrest earlier in the week. Durov, 39, was initially detained at Paris’s Bourget Airport on Saturday under a warrant that linked his app to various criminal activities.

French authorities are investigating allegations that Telegram has been used by fraudsters, drug traffickers, and those spreading child pornography, with critics highlighting the app’s lack of content moderation. Additionally, the platform has drawn attention for its use by terrorist groups and far-right extremists.

Durov was held for the maximum 96 hours allowed under French law before being moved to court. French prosecutors have indicated that he could be indicted following initial questioning.

The arrest has sparked a heated debate over freedom of speech, especially in Ukraine and Russia, where Telegram is a widely used communication tool, particularly during the ongoing conflict between Moscow and Kyiv. French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the situation, emphasizing that the charges against Durov are not politically motivated.

Telegram, which Durov launched with his brother Nikolai in 2013, now boasts over 950 million users. The app is known for its encrypted conversations, which prevent both law enforcement and Telegram from accessing user messages.