Faced with the uproar in the crypto world, French President Emmanuel Macron has come out of his reserve regarding the controversial arrest of Pavel Durov, founder and CEO of Telegram. In a message published on X (formerly Twitter), Macron firmly denied any political motivation behind this arrest that is shaking the technology industry.
Crypto sector criticism prompts Macron to react
The arrest of Pavel Durov on August 24 sent shockwaves through the tech industry.
President Macron was quick to clarify the situation via a message on the social network X:
” The arrest of the Telegram CEO on French soil took place as part of an ongoing judicial investigation. This is in no way a political decision.“, said the head of state.
He stressed that this action was part of an independent legal process, thus reaffirming the separation of powers in France.
The president also warned against the spreading of rumors: ” I saw false information about France after the arrest of Pavel Durov. “Without specifying the nature of this information, Macron is trying to counter disinformation that could tarnish the country's image.
Context and international reactions
The investigation, led by the French Office for Minors (OFMIN), concerns serious accusations. According to the information, Telegram is suspected of hosting groups involved in various illegal activities, ranging from fraud to drug trafficking, cyberbullying and the glorification of terrorism. The platform's alleged refusal to cooperate with the French justice system is also said to be a factor.
Influential figures in the crypto and tech industry such as Elon Musk and Vitalik Buterin have expressed their concern, fearing repercussions on freedom of expression and technological innovation. The hashtag #FreePavel quickly gained popularity on social media.
As the investigation continues, the Durov case remains at the heart of debates about the balance between national security and digital freedom, testing France's position on the global technology stage.
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