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| Founder and CEO of Telegram Pavel Durov delivers a keynote speech during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain in 2016 |
French President Emmanuel Macron has addressed the arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, clarifying that the detention was not politically motivated but part of an ongoing independent investigation. Durov, the founder of the widely used messaging platform, was detained on Saturday at Le Bourget Airport in Paris. The arrest stems from a judicial inquiry initiated last month that involves 12 alleged criminal violations.
According to the Paris prosecutor's office, the allegations against Durov include complicity in the sale of child sexual abuse material, drug trafficking, fraud, abetting organized crime, and failing to comply with legal requirements to share information with investigators.
In his first public statement on the matter, President Macron emphasized that the arrest was not a political decision. He reiterated France's commitment to freedom of expression, noting that these freedoms must be exercised within a legal framework to protect citizens' rights. Macron posted on the social media platform X, denouncing misinformation and stating that it is up to the judiciary to rule on Durov's case.
As of Monday night, Durov's detention had been extended, with French law allowing his custody for questioning to continue until Wednesday evening. After that, authorities must either charge him or release him.
Durov, who holds citizenship in Russia, France, the United Arab Emirates, and St. Kitts and Nevis, has sparked reactions from various governments. Russian officials have condemned the arrest, accusing Western nations of double standards regarding freedom of speech. This criticism comes despite Russia's own failed attempts to ban Telegram in 2018, a ban that was lifted in 2020.
The UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also expressed concern, stating that it is closely monitoring the situation and has requested that France provide Durov with all necessary consular services urgently.
France and the UAE share a close military relationship, with French forces stationed in Abu Dhabi and Emirati forces utilizing French-built military equipment. The diplomatic ties add another layer of complexity to the situation.
Telegram, which boasts nearly a billion users worldwide, was founded by Durov and his brother after Durov sold his stake in the Russian social network VKontakte. Durov's departure from Russia followed government pressure to hand over user data and take down opposition groups, demands he refused.
The platform continues to be a significant communication tool, especially in conflict zones like Ukraine, where it is used for sharing news and issuing alerts. Following Durov's arrest, Telegram issued a statement defending its operations, stating that it complies with EU laws and that its content moderation practices are continually improving. The company dismissed claims that it or its CEO should be held accountable for abuses on the platform, highlighting the scale of its global user base.
The Russian Embassy in Paris reported that French authorities had denied their consular officials access to Durov, citing his French citizenship as the primary reason. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov urged patience, stating that the charges against Durov remain unclear.
In a show of support, billionaire Elon Musk, known for his stance on free speech, posted "#freePavel" following the news of Durov's arrest. Western governments have previously criticized Telegram for its perceived lack of content moderation, with some experts arguing that the platform's lax policies could facilitate illegal activities, including money laundering and the distribution of exploitative material.
In 2022, Germany fined Telegram $5 million for failing to comply with laws requiring a mechanism for reporting illegal content and designating a legal representative in the country. Brazil also temporarily suspended Telegram last year for its refusal to provide data related to neo-Nazi activity as part of a police investigation into school shootings.
As the investigation unfolds, the international community continues to watch closely, with the outcome potentially having significant implications for Telegram and its operations worldwide.
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