French President Emmanuel Macron clarified on Monday that the arrest of Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov in Paris was part of an "ongoing judicial investigation" and was not influenced by political motives.
Macron stated in a post on X that Durov's detention was related to a judicial process and emphasized that it was not a political act. "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 wrote.
In his post, Macron addressed what he described as "false information" circulating about France following Durov's arrest. He reassured that France remains dedicated to "freedom of expression and communication, to innovation, and to the spirit of entrepreneurship" and affirmed that this commitment will continue.
He elaborated, "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 specific charges Durov may face are still unspecified, but reports indicate that the arrest warrant was issued by France’s OFMIN, an agency focusing on preventing violence against minors. The investigation is said to address alleged issues such as fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organized crime, and the promotion of terrorism on the messaging platform.
Durov, a 39-year-old Russian who also holds citizenship in France, the UAE, and Saint Kitts and Nevis, was apprehended by French authorities after arriving in Paris on August 24 from Azerbaijan.
Telegram responded to the arrest by calling the notion that the platform or its owner is responsible for misuse of the service "absurd." The company affirmed its compliance with EU laws, including the Digital Services Act. "Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe. Almost a billion users globally use Telegram as a means of communication and as a source of vital information. We’re awaiting a prompt resolution of this situation," said the company, which has over 900 million active users.
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