Telegram: CEO Pavel Durov Has 'Nothing to Hide' After Arrest in France
Telegram: CEO Pavel Durov Has 'Nothing to Hide' After Arrest in France
The Facts
1Messaging app company Telegram posted an official statement on its official channel on Sunday saying that its CEO and owner Pavel Durov has "nothing to hide" and calling his arrest in France on Saturday "absurd."
2French Pres. Emmanuel Macron confirmed on Monday that Durov has been detained upon his arrival in France but dismissed rumors of a political reason behind the arrest, following criticism from both the Kremlin and free speech advocates.
The Spin
aNow that Durov is in custody, one can only ask what exactly French authorities hope to achieve with that move. It's hard that they really believe that the owner of Telegram is responsible for the existence of pedophiles, drug dealers, terrorists and other criminals, so whatever they say it's clear that his arrest is an attack on free speech and its advocates.
bIt should be enough of a red flag that Russia and the far-right have joined forces to echo the argument that the arrest of Durov is an attack on free speech. Actually, the investigation is focused on standard crimes committed on his private platform and he has been detained for questioning. Durov is presumed innocent and will be able to defend himself if indicted.
