On August 24, Le Bourget airport near Paris detained Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram. French President Emmanuel Macron responded to the arrest on social media, emphasizing that it was not politically motivated. Macron clarified that Durov’s arrest was part of an ongoing judicial investigation and aimed to dispel rumors that the detention was an attack on free speech.
I have seen false information regarding France following the arrest of Pavel Durov.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 26, 2024
France is deeply committed to freedom of expression and communication, to innovation, and to the spirit of entrepreneurship. It will remain so.
In a state governed by the rule of law,…
Speculation has been rampant on social media regarding the reasons behind Durov’s arrest. Telegram issued a statement expressing its support for Durov and optimism for a swift resolution. As of August 26, Durov remained in custody, with the nature of the charges still unclear. The incident has prompted calls for his release from several high-profile figures, including Elon Musk.
