Emmanuel Macron Defends Arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov
French President Emmanuel Macron has publicly addressed the recent arrest of Pavel Durov, the CEO of the encrypted messaging platform Telegram, emphasizing that the action was not politically motivated. Macron's statements come in light of widespread speculation and misinformation regarding the circumstances surrounding Durov's detention. On Monday, Macron took to the social media platform X to clarify that the arrest was part of an ongoing judicial investigation and was conducted under the authority of the French legal system.
The 39-year-old Franco-Russian billionaire was apprehended at Le Bourget airport, located north of Paris, while accompanied by his bodyguard and assistant. His arrest stemmed from a search warrant issued by French investigators, aimed at addressing various offenses linked to the operations of his messaging service. Following his arrest, Durov's police custody was extended, indicating the seriousness of the investigation.
In his message, Macron sought to dispel what he described as “false information” related to the incident, reaffirming France's commitment to freedom of expression and communication. He stated, “France is more than anything attached to freedom of expression and communication, innovation and entrepreneurship. It will remain so.” The president stressed that in a rule of law, freedoms are exercised within a legally established framework designed to safeguard citizens and respect their fundamental rights. He insisted that it is the judiciary's role to enforce the law independently, free from political influence.
As the situation develops, further information is expected to be released regarding the judicial proceedings involving Durov and the implications for Telegram's operations in France.
