French President Emmanuel Macron has asserted that the recent arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov was the outcome of an independent judicial investigation, not a politically motivated action.
In a statement posted on his verified X account on Tuesday, Macron stressed that France’s judiciary operates independently, free from government interference.
This clarification follows widespread speculation suggesting that Durov’s arrest may have been politically driven. However, Macron reassured the public that the legal process was followed appropriately, leading to Durov’s detention.
“I’ve seen misleading information regarding France following the arrest of Pavel Durov,” Macron wrote. “France is strongly committed to freedom of expression and communication, innovation, and the spirit of entrepreneurship. These values will remain intact.
“In a state governed by the rule of law, freedoms are maintained within a legal framework, both online and offline, to protect citizens and uphold their fundamental rights.
“It is the judiciary’s role, in full independence, to enforce the law. The arrest of the Telegram president on French soil occurred as part of an ongoing judicial investigation. It was not a political decision. The judges will ultimately decide the matter.”
On Monday, the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office released a list of potential charges against Durov, which includes complicity in drug trafficking, money laundering, and the distribution of child pornography.
The 39-year-old Russian national, who also holds citizenship in France, the UAE, and St. Kitts and Nevis, was taken into custody by French authorities on Saturday after arriving in Paris from Azerbaijan on a private jet.
In a Monday press release, prosecutor Laure Beccuau explained that Durov’s arrest is part of a broader criminal investigation targeting an unnamed individual. The investigation is considering 12 charges against Durov, including facilitating the distribution of narcotics, money laundering, organized crime, and aiding in the spread of child pornography.
Beccuau also noted that Durov is being investigated for his refusal to cooperate with cybercrime and financial crime investigations.
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