French President Emmanuel Macron clarified on August 26th that the arrest of Pavel Durov, CEO of Telegram, was a result of an independent investigation, not a political move. Durov was detained in Paris on allegations of money laundering and other crimes related to his messaging app.
Macron emphasized France’s commitment to freedom of expression within legal boundaries, dismissing claims that the arrest was politically motivated. Russian officials criticized the arrest, citing double standards on free speech in the West.
Telegram, in a statement, reaffirmed its compliance with EU laws and industry standards, asserting that the platform should not be held responsible for misuse.
Durov, a dual citizen of France and Russia, received French citizenship in 2021 and now resides in the UAE. He founded VKontakte and Telegram, with the latter being his current venture.