By Douglas Jones
French President Emmanuel Macron has dismissed claims that he invited Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, to dinner following Durov's recent arrest in Paris. Durov was apprehended at Le Bourget airport after arriving from Azerbaijan, and reports suggested that he mentioned an impending meeting with Macron as the reason for his visit. However, President Macron firmly stated that he was unaware of Durov’s arrival and refuted any suggestion of an invitation.
Durov, who spent several days in jail, was released on a hefty bail of €5 million. He is now facing serious charges, including non-cooperation with French authorities and misuse of his messaging platform, Telegram. The arrest has ignited a wave of international criticism, with accusations that France is attempting to exert control over Telegram and its operations.
In the wake of Durov's detention, a massive social media campaign with the hashtag #FreeDurov has gained traction globally. Many critics accuse France of hypocrisy, claiming that while the country promotes freedom of speech and human rights in Africa and the Middle East, it fails to uphold these same values at home. The controversy surrounding Durov’s arrest continues to fuel debates about freedom of expression and governmental overreach in the digital age.
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International