French President Emmanuel Macron said the arrest in France of the CEO of popular messaging app Telegram, Pavel Durov, was not a political decision but part of an independent investigation.
PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron said Monday that the arrest in France of the CEO of popular messaging app Telegram, Pavel Durov, was not a political decision but part of an independent investigation.
French media reported that Durov was arrested Saturday at Paris airport on an arrest warrant alleging his platform was used for money laundering, drug trafficking and other crimes.
In France’s first public comment on the arrest, Macron said on social media platform X that his country “is deeply committed” to freedom of expression, but that “freedoms are respected within a legal framework, both on social media and in real life, to protect citizens and respect their fundamental rights.”
Denouncing what he called false information circulating about the arrest, he said that “it is in no way a political decision. It is up to the judges to decide on the matter.”
Russian government officials have expressed outrage at Durov’s arrest, some calling it politically motivated and saying it illustrates the West’s double standards on freedom of expression.
Representatives for Durov, who holds dual French and Russian citizenship, could not immediately be reached for comment.
In a statement posted on its platform, Telegram said it complies with EU laws, including the Digital Services Act, and that its moderation is “in line with industry standards and constantly improving.”
“It is absurd to claim that any platform or its owner is responsible for the misuse of this platform,” Telegram said in its message. “Nearly a billion users worldwide rely on Telegram as a means of communication and a source of vital information. We expect a quick resolution of this situation. Telegram is with all of you.”
Telegram was founded by Durov and his brother in the wake of the Russian government’s crackdown on mass pro-democracy protests that rocked Moscow in late 2011 and 2012.
