Emmanuel Macron Addresses Telegram Chief Pavel Durov’s Arrest Over Political Accusations
Macron’s Strong Rebuttal to Political Accusations
Macron stated, “The arrest of the Telegram president on French territory took place as part of an ongoing judicial investigation. This is in no way a political decision.” Durov, who is a Russian-born billionaire and now a French-Emirati citizen, was detained at Paris-Le Bourget airport on suspicions of moderation failures regarding child exploitation and drug trafficking.
The Context of Durov’s Arrest
- French prosecutors opened an investigation in July into Telegram's handling of alleged criminal activities.
- The warrant was issued by Ofmin, a French agency focused on preventing violence against minors.
- Durov's detention is a significant action against social media executives, reflecting increasing scrutiny of online platforms.
Reactions and Next Steps
In response to the arrest, Elon Musk expressed support for Durov, highlighting the broader debates over online governance and free expression.
“We’re awaiting a prompt resolution of this situation,” stated Telegram, emphasizing its adherence to EU laws, including the Digital Services Act.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.