French President Emmanuel Macron has defended his decision to grant special fast-track citizenship to Pavel Durov, the CEO of the popular messaging app Telegram. Durov is currently facing preliminary charges in France related to alleged criminal activity on his platform.
Macron clarified that he was unaware of Durov's presence in France before his unexpected arrest over the weekend and had no scheduled meeting with him. Durov was released on a 5 million euro bail but is prohibited from leaving France and must report to a police station twice a week as the investigation continues.
French prosecutors have accused Durov of complicity in facilitating drug trafficking and the sharing of inappropriate images of children on Telegram. Durov's lawyer has vehemently denied these allegations, stating that it is unreasonable to hold the head of a social network responsible for criminal acts that do not involve him directly or indirectly.
The case has shed light on the complexities of regulating illegal activities online and on Durov's background, which includes multiple passports and a Russia-born heritage.
During a visit to Serbia, Macron emphasized France's support for freedom of expression and entrepreneurial liberty. He justified the decision to grant Durov French nationality by citing his contributions to the country's economy and his willingness to learn French, likening it to similar cases involving high-profile individuals like Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel.
Contrary to reports, Macron denied any prior knowledge of Durov's arrival in France or any plans to meet with him. He asserted that Durov's arrest was an independent action taken by the French justice system.
