Kremlin says Telegram boss Durov's case should not become political persecution

FILE PHOTO: Founder and CEO of Telegram Pavel Durov delivers a keynote speech during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain February 23, 2016. REUTERS/Albert Gea/File Photo

MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Thursday that Telegram founder Pavel Durov's case should not turn into "political persecution" after a French judge put the Russian-born tech entrepreneur under formal investigation.

The judge said he was suspected of complicity in running an online platform that allows illicit transactions, images of child sex abuse and drug trafficking. He is also being investigated for alleged money laundering and the refusal to cooperate with judicial authorities.