French President Emmanuel Macron has justified the arrest in France of Pavel Durov, one of the founders of Telegram

Stating it is part of an “ongoing judicial investigation” and “not a political decision.” This statement was made public in response to “false information” circulating about the case.

Durov was arrested on Saturday night by the Air Transport Gendarmerie (GTA) after landing at an airport near Paris, following an investigation that indicates Telegram’s alleged collusion in crimes including fraud, offenses against minors, and drug-related crimes.

Macron emphasized on the social network X that “it is the judiciary, with total independence, that must enforce the law.” He affirmed that France upholds freedom of speech and encourages an “entrepreneurial spirit.” However, he added, “both on social networks and in real life, freedoms must be exercised within a framework set by law to protect citizens and respect fundamental rights.”

Currently, Durov, a Franco-Russian, remains in custody, with his detention extended on Monday. Sources cited by Franceinfo remind that he could still be held for four days under legislation aimed at combating organized crime. Telegram, the messaging platform, stated on Sunday that it complies with EU laws and questioned the accusation of direct involvement in the “abuses” that have emerged.

He is charged with a total of twelve offenses, including “complicity in the possession of pornographic images of a minor,” “complicity in the acquisition, transportation, possession, offering, or trafficking of drugs,” and “complicity in organized fraud.”