French President, Emmanuel Macron, has claimed that the arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov was a result of a judicial investigation and not a politically-motivated decision.

In a press statement issued via his verified X page on Tuesday, Macron emphasised that the French judiciary operates independently and that the government does not interfere in legal proceedings.

Macron’s statement comes after speculation surrounding the circumstances of Durov’s arrest, with some suggesting that it was a politically driven move.

However, the French President reassured that the legal system was allowed to run its course, leading to the detention of the Telegram founder.

The President wrote:

I have seen false information regarding France following the arrest of Pavel Durov.

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, freedoms are upheld within a legal framework, both on social media and in real life, to protect citizens and respect their fundamental rights.

It is up to the judiciary, in full independence, to enforce the law. The arrest of the president of Telegram on French soil took place as part of an ongoing judicial investigation. It is in no way a political decision. It is up to the judges to rule on the matter.

The Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office on Monday released a list of a dozen charges that could be brought against Pavel Durov.

The list ranges from complicity in drug dealing and money laundering, to facilitating the distribution of child pornography.

The 39-year-old Russian, who also holds citizenship in France, the UAE, and St. Kitts and Nevis, was detained by French authorities on Saturday after arriving in Paris from Azerbaijan by private jet.

In a press release on Monday, prosecutor Laure Beccuau said that Durov was arrested as part of a broad criminal inquiry against a “person unnamed.” As part of that inquiry, 12 charges are being considered against Durov, including facilitating narcotics distribution, money laundering, and organized crime, and aiding in the distribution of child pornography.

The entrepreneur is also being investigated for refusing to cooperate with cybercrime and financial crime investigations, Beccuau stated.

Justin Nwosu

Justin Nwosu is the founder and publisher of Flavision. His core interest is in writing unbiased news about Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. He’s a strong adherent of investigative journalism, with a bent on exposing corruption, abuse of power and societal ills.