In France, Durov could face charges related to terrorism, drugs, fraud, money laundering, selling stolen goods and sexual crimes against children.
Telegram messenger founder Pavel Durov has been detained in France. The 39-year-old businessman was detained when his private plane arrived in the French capital from Azerbaijan. Durov was accompanied by a security guard and a woman, whose name was withheld by journalists. In France, Durov could face charges related to terrorism, drugs, fraud, money laundering, selling stolen goods and sexual crimes against children. All this is due to the lack of moderation in Telegram, as well as the refusal of the messenger administration to cooperate with the authorities and the use of various tools, such as cryptocurrency and a disposable number. That is, French law enforcement agencies consider Durov an accomplice to crimes committed using Telegram because of his rejection of moderate content.
Peculiarities of detention
In 2021, it was reported that Durov, who emigrated from Russia in 2014, received French citizenship. In recent years, the businessman has lived in the United Arab Emirates.
The arrest warrant for Durov is only valid in France. The businessman knows that he is persona non grata in the country, has traveled little in Europe and avoided states where Telegram’s work is under the supervision of security forces. “He made a mistake today. We don’t know why,” said a source of French TV channel TF1 to French law enforcement agencies. BFMTV calls Durov’s appearance in France a “mystery.”
The French authorities may use the arrest of Pavel Durov to put pressure on other European countries to more actively fight encrypted messengers, which are also used by terrorists, writes TF1.
Official position
Durov was accused of inaction in relation to financial and cyber crimes committed using the Telegram platform, a French police spokesman said.
The investigation into Durov is being conducted by the cybercrime department and the anti-fraud department.
Durov is still in custody, a police representative said.
French President Emmanuel Macron said Durov was being held on French territory “as part of an ongoing judicial investigation.”
“This is not necessarily a political decision. The decision must be made by the judges,” the French president wrote on the social network X on the afternoon of August 26.
Macron noted that France supports freedom of speech:
“I am reading here false information about France after the detention of Pavel Durov. France is more committed than ever to freedom of expression and communication, innovation and entrepreneurship. It will remain that way. Under the rule of law, in social media as in real life, freedoms are exercised within the framework established by the law to protect citizens and respect their fundamental rights.The enforcement of the law is entrusted to the courts, which have full independence .”
Reaction to the world
Elon Musk supported Durov and did not miss the opportunity to accuse the European Union, with which he recently had bad relations, of violating freedom of speech. This is due to the fact that after buying Twitter, Musk brought characters to the platform that were previously banned for violating the rules of decent discussion. First of all, Donald Trump, whose candidacy Musk is enthusiastically supporting in the upcoming US presidential election.
“His non-cooperation with the FSB in favor of freedom of speech is, unfortunately, completely neutralized by his non-cooperation with anyone to stop using TG for all the horrors. This is his choice. “Possibly did one thing and not another?” said the famous investigator Hristo Grozev.
Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.