Published 27 August 2024 at 17.26
Foreign. Kremlin expresses concern over criminal charges leveled against Telegram CEO Pavel Durov after he was arrested in Paris. According to the Russian government, the charges are an attempt to limit freedom of expression, unless the French prosecutor's office can present “serious evidence” for its claims.
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Pavel Durov , who is a citizen of both Russia and France, is accused by French authorities of contributing to crimes such as drug sales, human trafficking and child pornography by failing to moderate content on Telegram and refusing to cooperate with law enforcement.
– The allegations are indeed very serious. They require no less serious evidence. Otherwise, they will be a direct attempt to limit freedom of expression, says Kremlin spokesman Dimitriy Peskov, according to Reuters.
Peskov emphasizes that Russia is ready to give Durov support, but that his dual citizenship complicates the situation.
p>The accusations have also taken on political dimensions. Russian government officials claim the arrest may be an attempt by Western powers, via France, to seize control of Telegram, a platform used by both sides in the war in Ukraine. However, French President Emmanuel Macron has dismissed these accusations and emphasized that the rule of law applies both online and offline.
Telegram has denied all accusations in a statement and maintains that it complies with EU laws and continuously improves its moderation.< /p>
Russia has tried to block Telegram in the past without success, and has repeatedly fined the company for not deleting content deemed illegal.
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