Macron says no political motive behind Telegram CEO’s arrest

PARIS: President Emmanuel Macron on Monday denied any political link to the arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov as the tech tycoon spent a second day in French custody following his surprise arrest at a Paris airport.

Numerous questions have been raised about the timing and circumstances of Durov´s detention. Sources close to the case said Durov is accused of failing to curb the spread of illegal content on Telegram, which has over 900 million users. The company has dismissed the accusations.

Born in Soviet times into a family of academics in Leningrad, now known as Saint Petersburg, Durov spent his childhood in Italy before building up Russia´s then biggest social network VKontakte (VK) in his early 20s. He set up Telegram after leaving Russia a decade ago and Forbes magazine estimates his current fortune at $15.5 billion.

Writing on the X social media platform that he was addressing “false information” concerning the case, Macron said Durov´s arrest “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,” he wrote in a highly unusual comment on a legal case.

Durov, 39, holds a French passport in addition to his Russian nationality. An investigating magistrate extended the Durov´s detention on Sunday, according to a source close to the investigation. The initial detention for questioning can last up to 96 hours.