French President Emmanuel Macron made a statement regarding the detention in France of Russian billionaire Pavel Durov, founder and owner of the messaging app Telegram, saying, “The detention of the Telegram CEO on French soil took place as part of an ongoing judicial investigation. This is in no way a political decision.”
French President Emmanuel Macron made a statement regarding the detention of 39-year-old Russian billionaire Pavel Durov, founder and owner of the world-famous messaging app Telegram, in France last Saturday. Macron stated that he had seen false posts about France following Durov’s detention, and said, “France is deeply committed to freedom of expression and communication, innovation and the spirit of entrepreneurship. In a state governed by the rule of law, freedoms are protected within a legal framework to protect citizens and respect their fundamental rights, both on social media and in real life.”
“IT IS NOT A POLITICAL DECISION”
Stressing that the implementation of the law is up to the judiciary in full independence, Macron said, “The detention of the Telegram CEO on French soil was part of an ongoing judicial investigation. This is in no way a political decision. It is up to the judges to decide on this matter.”
HE ARRIVED BY PRIVATE JET AND WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY
An unnamed police spokesman said Durov was being investigated by the national cybercrime and fraud office for failing to cooperate in cyber and financial crimes committed via Telegram and social media.
Durov, who was detained shortly after landing at Le Bourget Airport near the capital Paris on a private jet from Azerbaijan, was alleged to have been detained as part of a preliminary investigation into allegations that a lack of moderators on Telegram and lack of cooperation with the police had allowed numerous crimes to be committed on the platform.
RUSSIA’S MARK ZUCKERBERG
Known as the “Mark Zuckerberg of Russia,” 39-year-old billionaire Durov holds dual citizenship in France and the United Arab Emirates. Estimated to have a fortune of $15.5 billion by Forbes, Durov said in April that some governments were trying to pressure him, but that the app should remain a neutral platform and not a “geopolitical player.” (İHA)