Macron has been a Telegram user since the early days of his first presidential campaign. Nearly a decade later, the app remains widely used by both cabinet members and political officials of all ranks and parties, particularly within pro-Macron circles.
Durov, the Russian-born founder and CEO of Telegram, was unexpectedly arrested upon landing in France Saturday night. The precise reason for his arrest has not yet been communicated, but Durov’s custody has been extended.
The founder’s arrest has been criticized by self-proclaimed free speech advocates, including X and Tesla owner Elon Musk, as well as Russian officials, including Senator Alexei Pushkov. On his own Telegram channel, Pushkov called France a “liberal dictatorship” that “does not tolerate individuals who claim freedom.”
In a post on X on Monday, Macron pushed back against these accusations. Durov’s arrest was “in no way a political decision,” he said. “France is deeply committed to freedom of expression and communication, to innovation, and to the spirit of entrepreneurship. It will remain so.”
Durov’s arrest took place as part of a probe into a series of charges including complicity in the detaining and sharing of child pornography, complicity in drug trafficking as well as organized crime laundering, the Paris prosecutor’s office said in a statement. The probe was opened “against an unidentified person” and did not specifically target Durov.
According to a French justice official not working on the case but familiar with its background, Telegram had drawn frustration in France due to its reluctance to cooperate with authorities. “They have pissed off people with their refusal to give answers in dirty files,” said the official, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly.