French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed on Monday that Pavel Durov, the founder and sole owner of the popular messaging and news app Telegram, has been arrested in France.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Macron described the arrest as apolitical and part of an ongoing judicial investigation.
He addressed recent misinformation about France’s stance, affirming the country’s commitment to freedom of expression, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Macron emphasized that France remains dedicated to upholding freedoms within a legal framework, both online and offline, to protect citizens and respect their fundamental rights.
He clarified that the arrest was carried out within the boundaries of the rule of law and that it is the judiciary’s role, independent of political influence, to enforce legal matters.
“The arrest of the president of Telegram on French soil is a result of an ongoing judicial investigation and is not a political decision. It is up to the judges to rule on the matter,” Macron stated.
