PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron stated Monday that the arrest in France of the CEO of the popular messaging app Telegram, Pavel Durov, wasn’t a political relocation however part of an independent examination.
Durov was apprehended Saturday at Le Bourget airport in a judicial questions opened last month including 12 declared criminal infractions, the Paris districtattorney’s workplace stated Monday.
It stated in a declaration that the believed offenses consistof complicity in selling kid sexual abuse product and in drug trafficking, scams, abetting arranged criminalactivity deals and refusing to share info or files with detectives when needed by law.
In France’s veryfirst public remark on the arrest, Macron published on the social media platform X that his nation “is deeply devoted” to flexibility of expression however “freedoms are promoted within a legal structure, both on social media and in genuine life, to safeguard residents and regard their basic rights.”
Denouncing what he called incorrect details, Macron stated the arrest “is in no method a political choice. It is up to the judges to guideline on the matter.”
Durov’s detention was extended upuntil Monday night and can be extended till Wednesday night before authorities should release or charge him, the districtattorney’s workplace stated.
Durov is a person of Russia, France, the United Arab Emirates and the Caribbean island country of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Russian federalgovernment authorities haveactually revealed outrage at his detention, with some calling it politically inspired and evidence of the West’s double basic on liberty of speech. The protest hasactually raised eyebrows amongst Kremlin critics since in 2018 Russian authorities themselves attempted to block Telegram however stoppedworking, withdrawing the restriction in 2020.
Early Tuesday, the Foreign Ministry of the United Arab Emirates stated that it “is carefully following the case” and had asked France to supply Durov “with all the essential consular services in an immediate way.”
France and the UAE keep a close military relationship, with the French operating a marine base in Abu Dhabi and Emirati forces utilizing French-built Leclerc tanks and Rafale fighter jets.
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