Macron Dismisses Political Motive in Arrest of Telegram Founder in Paris

French President Emmanuel Macron has commented for the first time on the recent arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov in Paris, stressing that the detention is not politically motivated.

In his statement, shared on X (Twitter), Macron clarified that Durov’s arrest occurred within the framework of an ongoing judicial investigation. “This is in no way a political decision. It is a decision made by judges,” Macron emphasized.

The French president reiterated that while France supports freedom of expression, these freedoms must be exercised within the boundaries of the law, which is designed to protect citizens and uphold their fundamental rights. Macron highlighted that it is the courts, operating independently, that must ensure the enforcement of the law in a democratic state.

French media reported that Durov, a Russian national and founder of the messaging app Telegram, was arrested on Saturday evening in Paris. The arrest was carried out in connection with suspicions that the lack of moderation on Telegram, refusal to cooperate with law enforcement, and the provision of certain tools by the platform, such as disposable numbers and cryptocurrencies, have made Durov complicit in drug trafficking, child exploitation, and fraud.

A spokesperson for the French police confirmed that Durov remains in custody and is under investigation by national units focused on combating cybercrime and fraud. He faces accusations of being passive in addressing cyber and financial crimes committed via Telegram.

As the investigation continues, Durov remains in custody, awaiting further judicial decisions. This arrest comes amidst growing calls within the European Union for stricter regulation of Telegram, which could potentially impact the outcome of the case.