French President Emmanuel Macron has firmly denied any governmental involvement in the recent arrest of Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov, emphasizing that the matter is entirely under judicial authority.
Telegram CEO / Founder Pavel Durov (via Wikipedia)
Macron’s statement comes in the wake of rising tensions and international scrutiny following Durov’s detention, which has sparked reactions from tech leaders and political figures alike (via Politico).
In a public address on Monday, Macron clarified that Durov’s arrest on French soil is part of an ongoing legal investigation, dismissing claims of political motivation.
“The arrest of Telegram’s president on French territory took place as part of an ongoing judicial investigation. This is in no way a political decision. It is up to the judges to decide,” Macron stated, reinforcing the independence of the judiciary from government influence.
Durov, who has dual French-Emirati citizenship, was detained on Saturday night after his private jet landed in Paris. The arrest is connected to an investigation into several serious allegations, including complicity in the distribution of child pornography, involvement in drug trafficking, and money laundering linked to organized crime.
Despite the severe nature of the charges, the Paris prosecutor’s office noted that the investigation was initially opened “against an unidentified person” and did not specifically target Durov.
As the investigation unfolds, Durov remains in police custody, facing scrutiny from French law enforcement. In response to the arrest, Telegram issued a statement asserting that Durov has “nothing to hide” and that the company strictly adheres to European Union regulations.
The case has quickly drawn the attention of influential voices within both the tech industry and Russian political circles. Russian senator Alexei Pushkov condemned the arrest, labeling France a “liberal dictatorship” that opposes individuals who advocate for freedom.
Meanwhile, Edward Snowden, a former U.S. intelligence contractor now residing in Russia, criticized Macron for allegedly using the arrest as leverage to access private communications, a claim Macron strongly refuted.
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