Following the arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov in France, President Emmanuel Macron issued a statement reaffirming France's commitment to freedom of expression and the rule of law.
The arrest of the Telegram founder also had an extremely negative impact on the associated cryptocurrency Toncoin (TON).
“Following the arrest of Pavel Durov, I have seen misinformation about France,” Macron said, adding: “France is deeply committed to freedom of expression and communication, innovation and the spirit of entrepreneurship. And it will remain so.”
Macron argued that in a state governed by the rule of law, freedoms are protected within a legal framework to protect citizens and their rights both online and in the real world. He claimed that Durov's arrest was a judicial matter, not a political decision, and that the case would be handled independently by the courts.
“The arrest of the Telegram leader 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 added.
Durov’s arrest appears to be linked to Telegram’s lax content moderation policies and the platform’s reluctance to cooperate with law enforcement, raising broader questions about the legal liability of social media administrators for content shared by users on their platforms.
The Russian Embassy in France has requested more information from French authorities regarding Durov’s detention, while Russian media reported that Durov’s lawyer Dmitry Agranovsky has dismissed the accusations as “absolutely absurd.”
Telegram called the situation “absurd” in a statement on Sunday, claiming Durov “has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe.” The company added that it was illogical to hold a platform or its owner responsible for users’ abuse.
*This is not investment advice.