French President Emmanuel Macron defended the arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov in France, stating it was part of an independent investigation and not a political move. The Paris prosecutor’s office revealed that Durov was detained in connection to alleged criminal violations including child pornography, drug trafficking, fraud, and other offenses. Macron emphasized the importance of upholding freedom of expression while respecting the legal framework to protect citizens’ rights.
Durov, a citizen of various countries including Russia and France, faced backlash from Russian officials who viewed his arrest as politically motivated. In response, Telegram, the messaging app founded by Durov, reiterated its compliance with EU laws and industry standards for content moderation. The company defended itself, stating it cannot be held responsible for individual abuses of the platform.
The Russian Embassy in Paris reported that consular officials were denied access to Durov due to his French citizenship being prioritized. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed uncertainty regarding the specific charges against Durov and called for waiting until they are announced.
Durov’s history of standing up to Russian authorities and leaving the country due to governmental demands on his previous social networking site, VKontakte, highlights his commitment to privacy and freedom of speech. Telegram continues to be a popular platform for communication and news sharing in Russia and Ukraine amidst increasing digital restrictions.
The ongoing legal proceedings surrounding Durov’s arrest have sparked international attention and debates on freedom of speech, digital privacy, and government oversight. With the situation still unfolding, many are closely monitoring the case to see how it will impact the future of online communication and individual rights.
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