French President Emmanuel Macron has publicly defended his 2018 decision to grant French citizenship to Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, amidst ongoing legal proceedings against Durov in France. Speaking at a press conference in Belgrade, Serbia, Macron stated, ‘I granted citizenship to Durov, who learned French, just as I did for some athletes and artists, and I think that’s something good for our country. I will continue to do that every time’.Macron’s statements come in the wake of Durov’s arrest on August 24, 2024, at Le Bourget airport in Paris. Durov faces charges including complicity in allowing drug trafficking and the sharing of sexual images of children on Telegram. He has been released on a €5 million bail but is prohibited from leaving France and must report to the police twice weekly.In response to reports that Durov claimed he was in France to meet with Macron, the French President categorically denied any prior knowledge of Durov’s visit or plans to meet with him. ‘I was not aware of Durov’s arrival in France. It is completely normal and natural, as I do not need to be aware of the movements of French citizens and other citizens,’ Macron stated.The case has sparked international debate, with concerns raised about potential ‘political persecution’. However, Macron emphasized the independence of the French justice system, stating, ‘We are a state governed by the rule of law, where state institutions are independent’.In an intriguing development, it was revealed that immediately after his detention, Durov requested to inform Xavier Niel, a French billionaire close to President Macron, about his situation. This has raised questions about Durov’s connections in France and the circumstances surrounding his naturalization.As the legal proceedings continue, the case continues to raise complex questions about the responsibility of messaging app providers, the balance between freedom of expression and law enforcement, and the implications of granting citizenship to high-profile international figures.
Key points
- French President Macron defends granting citizenship to Telegram founder Pavel Durov in 2018.
- Durov faces serious charges in France, including complicity in illegal activities on Telegram.
- Macron denies any prior knowledge of Durov’s visit to France or plans to meet with him.
- The case raises questions about tech regulation, citizenship policies, and international relations.
Contradictions👾While Macron defends granting citizenship to Durov, French authorities are investigating the naturalization process.
👾Durov claimed he was in France to meet Macron, but Macron denies any knowledge of such plans.
