Macron: The arrest of the Telegram boss was not politically motivated

The messaging service’s founder and boss was arrested at an airport outside Paris at the weekend.

French authorities believe that Telegram’s lack of moderation and cooperation with the authorities makes the company complicit in drug trafficking, abuse and fraud.

– In social media, as in real life, freedom must be exercised within the framework of the law, Macron wrote on the messaging service X on Monday.

He emphasizes that the arrest took place as part of an investigation.

– It is in no way a political decision. It is up to the judges to decide the case, Macron wrote, adding that he had seen false claims about France’s role in the case.

Later in the day, the French public prosecutor’s office provided more information about the investigation. It is linked to accusations of complicity in operating an online platform that allows illegal money transfers, child abuse images and drug trafficking.

39-year-old Durov is originally Russian, but received French citizenship in 2021. The encrypted messaging service Telegram is particularly widespread in Russia, Ukraine and other countries that were formerly part of the Soviet Union.