Pavel Durov was detained at Le Bourget Airport in Paris on Saturday, August 24, while disembarking from a private jet arriving from Azerbaijan.
"I have seen false information regarding France following the arrest of Pavel Durov. France is deeply committed to freedom of expression and communication, to innovation, and to the spirit of entrepreneurship. It will remain so," Emmanuel Macron assured via social media.
"In a state governed by the rule of law, freedoms are upheld within a legal framework, both on social media and in real life, to protect citizens and respect their fundamental rights. It is up to the judiciary, in full independence, to enforce the law," the French President emphasized.
"The arrest of the president of Telegram on French soil took place as part of an ongoing judicial investigation. It is in no way a political decision. It is up to the judges to rule on the matter," he added.
The French Office for the Protection of Minors has charged Durov with involvement in crimes like fraud, drug trafficking, and cyberbullying, alleging that he did not act firmly against the criminal use of Telegram. The app, based in Dubai, offers encrypted messaging and its developers assert that they do not reveal user information.
Source: IAR/AFP/Reuters/X/@EmmanuelMacron
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