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France’s Macron Says Arrest Of The Head Of The Telegram Messaging App Wasn’t Political
PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron said Monday that Pavel Durov, the CEO of the Telegram, was arrested in France as part of an impartial inquiry, not a political one.
The Paris prosecutor’s office said Monday that Durov was detained Saturday at Le Bourget airport as part of a judicial investigation launched last month into 12 alleged criminal offences.
According to a statement, the suspected offenses include involvement in the sale of child pornography and drug trafficking, fraud, aiding and abetting organized crime activities, and refusing to give information or documents to investigators when legally required.
France’s Macron Says Arrest Of The Head Of The Telegram Messaging App Wasn’t Political
In France’s first public response to the arrest, Macron wrote on the social media platform X that his country “is deeply committed” to free expression but that “freedoms are upheld within a legal framework, both on social media and in real life, to protect citizens and respect their fundamental rights.”
Macron denounced incorrect information and stated that the arrest was not a political choice. It is up to the courts to rule on this.”
According to the prosecutor’s office, Durov’s incarceration has been extended until Monday night and may be extended until Wednesday evening before he is released or charged.
Durov is a citizen of Russia, France, the United Arab Emirates, and the Caribbean island of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Russian government officials have voiced fury at his detention, with some claiming it was politically motivated and evidence of the West’s double standard on free speech. The outrage has sparked suspicions among Kremlin critics: In 2018, Russian officials attempted to stop Telegram but failed, with the ban lifted in 2020.
Telegram, which claims to have nearly a billion users globally, was launched by Durov and his brother following pressure from Russian authorities.
The corporation faced pressure following the Russian government’s crackdown on major pro-democracy protests in Moscow between 2011 and 2012.
According to Durov, the authorities asked that the site remove online communities of Russian opposition activists, as well as hand over personal data of users who participated in the 2013 popular movement in Ukraine, which eventually toppled a pro-Kremlin president.
Durov stated in a recent interview that he refused these requests and departed the country.
The demonstrations spurred Russian authorities to crack down on the digital domain, and Telegram, with its pro-privacy rhetoric, provided a handy avenue for Russians to interact and exchange news.
Telegram remains a popular news source in Ukraine, as media outlets and officials use it to convey war-related information and send missile and air raid alerts.
In a statement on its site following his arrest, Telegram stated that it follows EU legislation and that 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,” according to Telegram’s post. “Almost a billion people worldwide use Telegram as a means of communication and a source of critical information. We are waiting for a swift resolution to this matter. Telegram is with all of you.”
French media reported on Monday that a French investigating judge prolonged Durov’s arrest order on Sunday night. According to French legislation, Durov can be detained for questioning for up to four days. After that, the judges must decide whether to charge or release him.
The Russian Embassy in Paris stated that consular officers were denied access to Durov because French authorities see his French citizenship as primary. Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson, said on Monday, “We still don’t know what Durov is accused of. Let us wait till the charges are publicized if there are.
France’s Macron Says Arrest Of The Head Of The Telegram Messaging App Wasn’t Political
Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X who has previously described himself as a “free speech absolutist,” tweeted “#freePavel” in support of Durov following his detention.
Western governments have frequently criticized Telegram for its lack of content filtering, which experts believe allows the messaging network to be used for money laundering, drug trafficking, and the transmission of material related to underage sexual exploitation.
In 2022, Germany fined Telegram’s operators $5 million for failing to develop a legal means to report illegal information or to designate a German entity to receive official communications. Both are required under German regulations governing huge internet sites.
Last year, Brazil temporarily barred Telegram for failing to turn over data on neo-Nazi behavior in connection with a police investigation into school shootings in November.
SOURCE | AP
