French President Macron denies political motive in Telegram CEO Pavel Durov’s arrest

The alleged offenses include complicity in the distribution of child pornography, involvement in drug trafficking, fraud, aiding organised crime, and refusal to comply with legal requirements to provide information or documents to investigators.

In a post on social media platform X, Macron emphasised France’s commitment to freedom of expression, while also asserting that “freedoms are upheld within a legal framework, both online and in real life, to protect citizens and respect their fundamental rights.”

He firmly denied any political influence over Durov’s arrest, stating that the matter was entirely in the hands of the judiciary.

Durov, who holds citizenship in Russia, France, the United Arab Emirates, and St. Kitts and Nevis, remains in custody, with his detention potentially extended until Wednesday before authorities must decide whether to charge or release him.

The arrest has sparked anger among Russian officials, some of whom have labelled it as politically motivated and reflective of the West’s “double standard” on free speech.

Critics have noted the irony, recalling Russia’s unsuccessful attempts to ban Telegram in 2018, a ban that was eventually lifted in 2020.

Telegram, which was founded by Durov and his brother after they faced pressure from Russian authorities, now claims nearly a billion users globally.

The platform has been a significant tool for communication and news dissemination, particularly in Ukraine amid ongoing conflict.

In response to the arrest, Telegram released a statement asserting that the platform abides by EU laws and maintains industry-standard moderation.

“It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform,” the statement read. Telegram expressed hope for a swift resolution, reaffirming its commitment to its users.

The Russian Embassy in Paris was barred from accessing Durov due to France prioritizing his French citizenship.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov expressed uncertainty about the specific charges against Durov, calling for patience as more information becomes available, according to AP.

Elon Musk, owner of X, publicly supported Durov, posting “#freePavel” in response to the news.

Western governments have frequently criticised Telegram for insufficient content moderation, which they argue facilitates criminal activities such as money laundering, drug trafficking, and the distribution of illegal content.

Telegram has faced legal challenges in various countries, including fines from Germany and a temporary suspension in Brazil over its handling of illegal content.