Telegram founder grilled over alleged illegal content on app
Durov, 40, was detained in the French capital last year and is under investigation by its authorities over illegal content on his messaging service.
Arriving at the Paris courthouse on Monday with four of his lawyers, the Russian-born entrepreneur faced his third round of questioning since being charged with multiple infractions linked to enabling organised crime.
Durov, who holds French and Russian passports, has been accused of complicity in running an online platform that allowed illicit transactions, child sex abuse images and other illegal content.
He denied the claims, and his lawyers said in a statement Monday's full-day session allowed Durov "to provide additional explanations demonstrating the inanity of the facts that are the subject of the investigation".
In his initial questioning last December, Durov denied creating Telegram for illicit use but acknowledged a growing criminal presence on the platform, and pledged to strengthen moderation.
French judicial authorities had noted an improvement in cooperation with Telegram since Durov's arrest, said sources involved in organised crime cases.
Durov, who was initially banned from leaving France, had his judicial control relaxed early this month, allowing him to reside in the United Arab Emirates for two weeks at a time.
His lawyers have filed motions to dismiss the charges with the Paris Appeals Court, according to a source close to the case.
"We contest the legality of our client's indictment and the numerous investigative acts carried out in defiance of domestic and European law," they said on Monday.
The lawyers have also filed a legal challenge in France to test the constitutionality of the case, along with a request for a preliminary ruling from the European Union's top court, according to the same source.
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