French authorities have temporarily lifted travel restrictions on Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, allowing him to leave France amid an ongoing probe into criminal activities on the platform. Durov, under investigation since August, has reportedly departed for Dubai after posting €5 million bail.
French authorities have allowed Pavel Durov, the Russian-born founder and CEO of Telegram, to leave France temporarily in a loosening of his obligations under a probe into criminal activities on the messaging app, the French news agency AFP reported on Saturday.
Durov was arrested at an airport near Paris last August and subsequently placed under formal investigation, with a ban on leaving France.
The probe further soured relations between Paris and Moscow amid the war in Ukraine and fanned debate over the boundaries of free speech and law enforcement on internet platforms.
An investigating judge gave Durov permission to leave France for several weeks and he is thought to have departed on Saturday morning for Dubai, AFP said, citing unnamed sources.
The Paris prosecutor's office did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
French prosecutors said last year they suspect Durov of complicity in running an online platform that allows a range of illegal activities including drug trafficking and money laundering.
Durov was also required to post bail of 5 million euros ($5.4 million).
Being placed under formal investigation in France does not imply guilt or necessarily lead to trial, but indicates judges consider there is enough evidence to proceed with the probe.
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The interim government in Damascus will attend an international conference on Monday in Brussels to seek aid pledges for Syria, which continues to face significant humanitarian challenges and an uncertain political future following the departure of Bashar al-Assad.
Zelenskyy and Canada’s new PM Mark Carney discussed military aid, sanctions on Russia, and defence cooperation, highlighting stronger ties and Ukraine’s role in Canada’s G7 agenda.
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US President Donald Trump announced he plans to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, expressing optimism about the potential to end the ongoing conflict, following extensive discussions over the weekend.
Fast-fashion retailer Forever 21’s U.S. division has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for the second time in six years, citing declining mall traffic and growing competition from online retailers. The company plans to hold liquidation sales while seeking buyers for some or all of its assets.
The interim government in Damascus will attend an international conference on Monday in Brussels to seek aid pledges for Syria, which continues to face significant humanitarian challenges and an uncertain political future following the departure of Bashar al-Assad.
South Korea’s opposition Democratic Party has called for a swift ruling from the Constitutional Court on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment, citing concerns that ongoing delays could worsen political divisions and uncertainty.
Zelenskyy and Canada’s new PM Mark Carney discussed military aid, sanctions on Russia, and defence cooperation, highlighting stronger ties and Ukraine’s role in Canada’s G7 agenda.
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