Russian Telegram founder Pavel Durov has been formally charged with crimes, prosecutors in Paris say, reports AFP.
Durov is no longer detained, but is not allowed to leave France.
Durov was arrested on Saturday when he arrived at Bourget airport outside Paris. He was released on Wednesday after being questioned by police for four days.
He faced a preliminary court hearing during the day, according to the Paris prosecutor’s office.
Document not submitted
The 39-year-old Durov was initially suspected of not having acted against criminals using the messaging service to commit crimes. Telegram is also not supposed to have shared information or handed over documents to the investigation, despite being required to do so by law.
Durov must report to the police twice a week, as well as deposit five million euros, equivalent to nearly SEK 57 million, as bail.
The investigation into Durov is led, among other things, by Ofmin, part of the French justice system that works against exploitation, violence and abuse of children and young people.
Multiple citizenships
Durov is a citizen of Russia, France, the United Arab Emirates and the island nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Russia has previously warned France of trying to “intimidate” the detained Telegram manager, and that it is encroaching on freedom of expression.
Paris responds that the arrest has no political basis, and that the judiciary is investigating Durov.