French President Emmanuel Macron clarified that the arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov in France was part of an independent investigation, not a political move. Durov faces allegations of criminal violations including involvement in child pornography, drug trafficking, fraud, and organized crime. Macron emphasized the importance of upholding freedoms within the legal framework to protect citizens.
Durov’s detainment was extended, prompting outrage from Russian officials who viewed it as politically motivated. Telegram, founded by Durov, became popular for its pro-privacy stance in the face of Russian government pressure. The messaging app continues to play a significant role in sharing news in Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict.
Elon Musk showed support for Durov with a #freePavel hashtag, highlighting concerns over content moderation on Telegram. Criticisms from Western governments led to fines and suspensions in countries like Germany and Brazil.
The situation surrounding Durov’s arrest remains unresolved, with French authorities determining the next steps in the investigation.
Barbara Surk in Nice, France, and Daria Litvinova in Tallinn, Estonia contributed.
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