The internet is reeling over Telegram CEO Pavel Durov’s arrest, which triggered indignation as it placed concerns over free speech issues at the forefront of public consciousness.
Durov was apprehended on August 25 at the Le Bourget airport just beyond Paris, France as part of a probe into alleged complicity with illicit activities the likes of child pornography, drug trafficking, fraud, money laundering, and refusing to report these to authorities, said French prosecutors. He may serve a 20-year sentence.
Video platform Rumble CEO Chris Pavlovski said on the same day that he had “safely” left Europe. France has “threatened” his company and “crossed a red line” in arresting Durov, he said, and promised his company will “use every legal means available” in its fight against the stifling of free expression.
“We hope for Pavel Durov’s immediate release,” he said on X.
I’m a little late to this, but for good reason — I’ve just safely departed from Europe.
— Chris Pavlovski (@chrispavlovski) August 25, 2024
France has threatened Rumble, and now they have crossed a red line by arresting Telegram’s CEO, Pavel Durov, reportedly for not censoring speech.
Rumble will not stand for this behavior and…
Elon Musk has also spoken out, saying free speech is under attack in Europe. The microblogging platform X owner has also shared the hashtag #FreePavel and reposted X CEO Linda Yaccarino’s tweet.
“If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter. - George Washington,” it reads.
If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.
— Linda Yaccarino (@lindayaX) August 26, 2024
- George Washington
Former US Intelligence Officer and whistleblower Edward Snowden also denounced the arrest on X.
“The arrest of @Durov is an assault on the basic human rights of speech and association,” he wrote. “I am surprised and deeply saddened that Macron has descended to the level of taking hostages as a means for gaining access to private communications.”
The move, according to him, “lowers not only France, but the world.”
The arrest of @Durov is an assault on the basic human rights of speech and association. I am surprised and deeply saddened that Macron has descended to the level of taking hostages as a means for gaining access to private communications. It lowers not only France, but the world.
— Edward Snowden (@Snowden) August 25, 2024
France’s defense
French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the arrest but denied any political motive. He too, took to X to express his sentiments on the “false information” surrounding the move.
“France is deeply committed to freedom of expression and communication, to innovation, and to the spirit of entrepreneurship. It will remain so,” he wrote.
He said that freedoms are honored “within a legal framework,” for the protection of citizens and their rights.
“It is up to the judiciary, in full independence, to enforce the law,” The President continued. “(The arrest) is in no way a political decision. It is up to the judges to rule on the matter.”
I have seen false information regarding France following the arrest of Pavel Durov.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 26, 2024
France is deeply committed to freedom of expression and communication, to innovation, and to the spirit of entrepreneurship. It will remain so.
In a state governed by the rule of law,…
Telegram is an encrypted messaging platform with just about a billion users worldwide.
