#DOGS,TON,NOT:

The French courts on August 25 extended the detention of businessman Pavel Durov, founder and owner of the instant messaging service Telegram, reported the newspaper Le Figaro, citing a source close to the investigation.

"The Parisian investigating judge in charge of this judicial investigation, focused on acts committed by an organized gang, extended his police custody on Sunday evening. It could last 96 hours at most. Once completed, the Franco-Russian billionaire could be released or appear before this magistrate with a view to a possible indictment," the newspaper reported on Sunday evening.

It added that the Paris prosecutor's office refused to comment on the case on Sunday.

Durov, who has passports from Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, the United Arab Emirates and France, was taken into custody after being arrested at the airport. Telegram claims it complies with EU laws after arrest of its founder.

The French courts are citing several reasons, including Telegram's refusal to cooperate with the country's authorities.

The Russian Foreign Ministry, for its part, said that a note was sent to Paris requesting consular access to the detainee.

At the same time, the Telegram team assured that the platform complies with European Union (EU) laws and described as absurd the claim that its owner is responsible for the misuse of the instant messaging service.