Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Arrested in France, Macron Denies Political Motive
PARIS, FRANCE – The arrest of Pavel Durov, founder of the popularmessaging app Telegram, in France has sparked international controversy. French authorities have accused Durov of a range of crimes, including potential links to terrorism, drug trafficking,fraud, money laundering, and Telegram’s alleged refusal to cooperate with the French government.
Durov was apprehended at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airporton August 24th, 2024, and remains in custody. The Paris Prosecutor’s Office, citing an ongoing investigation into cybercrime launched on July 8th, 2024, confirmed the arrestand subsequent extension of his detention until August 28th.
The arrest has drawn criticism from various quarters, with some alleging political motivations behind the charges. Russian officials have voiced their support for Durov, claiming he is avictim of Western political persecution. Maria Butina, a member of the Russian State Duma, asserted that Durov is a political prisoner facing unfounded accusations.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron has publicly denied any political motives behind Durov’s arrest. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter),Macron emphasized that the arrest is part of an ongoing judicial investigation and solely a matter for the courts.
The arrest of the founder of Telegram in France is part of an ongoing judicial investigation. It is up to the judges to decide, it is not a political decision, Macron wrote.
Durov’s arrest has also garnered international attention, with prominent figures expressing concern over the potential implications for freedom of speech and association. Elon Musk, CEO of X and Tesla, called for Durov’s release, while Edward Snowden, the former US National Security Agency contractor, denounced the arrest as a violation of fundamental human rights.
Telegram, which boasts nearly a billion users worldwide, has defended its operations, stating that it adheres to EU regulations, including the Digital Services Act, and operates in line with industry standards. The platform expressed hope for a swift resolution to the situation.
Durov, born in 1984in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), holds multiple nationalities including Russian, French, and Emirati. He is best known for his involvement in the creation of the Russian social networking platform VK and for founding Telegram in 2013.
The messaging app has gained significant popularity in Russia, becoming a primary platformfor media and Russian-speaking users. Durov’s arrest comes at a time when Telegram has faced scrutiny from various governments over its encryption capabilities and potential use by extremist groups.
Durov’s arrest and the subsequent accusations against him have raised concerns about the potential impact on online freedom and the delicate balance betweennational security and individual rights. The outcome of the judicial investigation and the eventual fate of Durov remain to be seen, but the case has already ignited a global debate on the role of technology, privacy, and the limits of state power in the digital age.
【source】http://www.chinanews.com/gj/2024/08-27/10275213.shtml
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