Macron unaware of Telegram owner’s France arrival, no meeting planned
Macron not informed of Durov's arrival, no plans to meet
French President Emmanuel Macron stated on Thursday that he was unaware of Telegram owner Pavel Durov’s arrival in France on Saturday and had no plans to meet him. Macron, speaking during a two-day visit to Serbia, emphasised that it was normal for him not to be informed about the movements of individuals worldwide, irrespective of their citizenship status.
French police arrested Durov after his jet landed at an airport near Paris. A French judge placed Durov, who holds both French and UAE citizenship, under formal investigation on Wednesday. The investigation concerns alleged complicity in operating an online platform enabling illicit transactions, child sex abuse images, drug trafficking, and fraud.
Macron also justified France’s 2021 decision to grant Durov French citizenship through a special procedure reserved for prominent individuals. He explained that this strategy aims to attract artists, athletes, and entrepreneurs who make efforts to learn the French language and contribute to wealth and innovation in France.
BREAKING: Macron – I was absolutely not aware of his arrival. That is normal.
It is false to say that I had made an invitation.pic.twitter.com/s26CSRl0lL
— Viktor 🐯🧡 (@s0meone_u_know) August 29, 2024
What Other Media Are Saying
- US News reports that French President Emmanuel Macron was unaware of Telegram founder Pavel Durov’s arrival in France, emphasizing the president’s lack of knowledge about citizens’ movements.(read more)
- AP News reports on the arrest of Pavel Durov, CEO of Telegram, in France, highlighting Macron’s defense of the arrest as independent from politics and emphasizing freedom of expression.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Was French President Emmanuel Macron aware of Pavel Durov’s arrival in France?
No, Macron was unaware of Durov’s arrival.
Why was Pavel Durov arrested in France?
Durov was arrested for suspected complicity in running an online platform for illicit transactions.
Does Pavel Durov have French citizenship?
Yes, Durov has French and UAE citizenship.
Why did France give Pavel Durov citizenship?
France granted Durov citizenship for his contributions to innovation and wealth.
Did Macron plan to meet Pavel Durov during his visit to Serbia?
No, Macron had no scheduled meeting with Durov.
