French President Macron confirmed on Monday that the arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov was part of an ongoing judicial investigation, dispelling claims of political motivation. Durov was detained at a Paris airport on Saturday, sparking tensions between France and Russia. French authorities extended his detention for alleged offences including fraud and promoting terrorism on Telegram. The Russian embassy in Paris demanded access to Durov, but Macron emphasized the need to uphold the law independently. Durov, a French citizen, denied any wrongdoing and defended his platform’s commitment to freedom of expression. He left Russia in 2014 after refusing to shut down opposition communities on VKontakte, a social media platform he founded. Macron’s statement underscores France’s dedication to upholding freedoms within legal boundaries. The arrest has raised concerns about free speech and legal standards, with ongoing discussions regarding Durov’s rights and the circumstances of his detention. As the situation unfolds, both France and Russia are closely monitoring developments in this complex case.
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Macron criticizes ‘false information’ on Telegram CEO’s arrest as a political decision
