French President Emmanuel Macron condemned “false information” relating to the arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov this week.
“I have seen false information regarding France following the arrest of Pavel Durov,” Macron wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “France is deeply committed to freedom of expression and communication, to innovation, and to the spirit of entrepreneurship. It will remain so. In a state governed by the rule of law, freedoms are upheld within a legal framework, both on social media and in real life, to protect citizens and respect their fundamental rights.”
Macron’s post continued, “It is up to the judiciary, in full independence, to enforce the law. The arrest of the president of Telegram on French soil took place as part of an ongoing judicial investigation. It is in no way a political decision. It is up to the judges to rule on the matter.”
Over the weekend, French media reported that Durov, the CEO of the popular messaging app, Telegram, was arrested at a Paris airport on charges related to money laundering and drug trafficking, as well as other charges.
Photo by CHRISTOPHE SIMON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
According to the Associated Press (AP), Durov is a citizen of several countries including Russia, France, the United Arab Emirates and the island of St. Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean.
Russian officials voiced outrage over Durov’s arrest, with some labeling it politically motivated and accusing the West of exhibiting a double standard on freedom of speech.
Telegram, which claims nearly a billion users globally, was founded by Durov and his brother following the Russian government’s crackdown on mass pro-democracy protests that shook Moscow in late 2011 and 2012.
Russia then strictly enforced the digital world in the country following the protests, giving Telegram the opportunity to become major method of communication in Russia.
In a statement following Durov’s arrest, Telegram said the application follows EU laws and said its moderation is “within industry standards and constantly improving.”
“It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform,” Telegram’s post said. “Almost a billion users globally use Telegram as means of communication and as a source of vital information. We’re awaiting a prompt resolution of this situation. Telegram is with you all.”
A French investigative judge extended Durov’s detention on Sunday night, according to reports in French media. Under French law, Durov can be held for questioning for up to four days before judges must decide whether to charge or release him.