French President Emmanuel Macron has addressed rumors circulating on social media regarding the arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov at a French airport outside Paris on Saturday. He stated unequivocally that the arrest was not a politically motivated decision. “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,” Macron declared.
Macron, using the microblogging platform X (formerly Twitter), reiterated France’s commitment to freedom of expression, innovation, and entrepreneurship. He emphasized the importance of upholding these freedoms within a legal framework, stating, “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.”
The arrest of Durov follows investigations accusing Telegram of involvement in various illicit activities, including drug trafficking, promoting terrorism, and cyberbullying, as reported by French daily Le Monde.
In response to the arrest, Telegram issued a statement asserting the company’s compliance with EU laws, including the digital services act, and affirming that its moderation practices are within industry standards and undergoing constant improvement. “It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform,” the statement read.
Telegram highlighted its global reach, stating, “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.”
The Russian government, where Durov is from, has condemned the arrest, deeming it politically motivated and accusing the West of hypocrisy regarding freedom of speech.
