Macron clarifies position, emphasizes French judicial independence
The French government recently officially responded to the arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov. President Macron emphasized that the arrest was not politically motivated but was based on an ongoing judicial investigation.
Macron said: "France is firmly committed to freedom of expression and communication, innovation and entrepreneurship, and this position will remain unchanged. In a country governed by the rule of law, freedom is guaranteed within the legal framework, whether on social media or in real life." The arrest of the leader of Telegram on French soil is part of an ongoing judicial investigation and is in no way a political decision, upheld by the judiciary in order to protect citizens and respect their fundamental rights. Make a ruling on this matter.”
Macron's statement was a response to questions about whether the French government had political motives. The French government has faced pressure and suspicion from the international community since Pavel Durov's arrest. The French government emphasized that the judiciary acted in full compliance with legal procedures in this case, and any speculation about this incident is groundless.
Durov faces multiple felony charges
According to a statement from the French government, Pavel Durov was arrested by police at Le Bourget Airport near Paris on August 24 and subsequently detained at 8pm that night. The arrest is related to a judicial investigation that began on July 8, 2024. The investigation, launched by JUNALCO, the cybercrime unit of the Paris prosecutor's office, involves a range of serious criminal charges, including cybercrime, child pornography, drug dealing and money laundering.
According to the investigation, the main charges facing Durov include the following:
Illegal platform operations and assisting organized crime: Suspected of assisting illegal transactions and activities of organized criminal groups through the Telegram platform.
Failure to cooperate with lawful interception: Refusing to provide relevant information and documents requested by law enforcement authorities for lawful surveillance.
Suspects of involvement in child pornography and drug trade: Suspected of participating in activities related to the production, possession and distribution of child pornography, and accused of assisting and promoting drug trade.
Use and distribution of illegal encryption technology: It is suspected of illegally providing and using undeclared encryption technology tools, which are designed to protect the confidentiality of transactions and data processing.
The charges cover conspiracy, organized fraud, money laundering and other crimes involving high prison terms. According to the French government statement, the 12 crimes listed are as follows:
Complicity - Manage an online platform to facilitate illegal transactions within an organized group.
Refusal to provide authorities with information or documents necessary to conduct and operate lawful interceptions.
Accomplice - Possession of pornographic images of a minor.
Complicity – Distributing, making available or making available pornographic images of minors within an organized group.
Accomplice – Acquisition, transportation, possession, furnishing or sale of narcotic substances.
Complicity - Providing, selling or making available without justifiable reasons equipment, tools, programs or data designed or adapted to access and disrupt the operation of automated data processing systems.
Complicity - organized fraud.
Criminal association for the commission of a crime or offense punishable by imprisonment for 5 years or more.
Money Laundering - Crimes and proceeds of crime originating from organized groups.
Providing cryptographic services designed to ensure confidentiality without authenticating claims.
Providing cryptographic tools that not only ensure authentication or integrity monitoring without prior declaration.
Importing undeclared cryptographic tools that ensure authentication or integrity monitoring.
Under French law, Durov's detention can be extended to 96 hours, meaning he could be detained until August 28.
Impact of events on Telegram and Pavel Durov
The arrest sparked widespread global concern. As the founder of Telegram, an instant messaging platform with 900 million users worldwide, Pavel Durov's legal woes will undoubtedly have a profound impact on the future operations of the platform and his personal reputation. Especially when it comes to sensitive industries such as cybercrime, privacy protection and encryption technology, this incident may further escalate discussions on the supervision of these industries in various countries.
Further reading
[Special Topic] - "Telegram founder Pavel Durov was arrested. Is it a crime?" Or political suppression? 》
