French President Emmanuel Macron stated that he was unaware of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov’s recent arrival in France.
Speaking at a news conference on Thursday during his two-day visit to Serbia, Macron emphasized his lack of awareness of individual travel movements into the country. He highlighted that it is normal not to track the arrivals of global citizens, regardless of their citizenship status.
Upon landing at an airport near Paris, authorities arrested Durov. The following day, a French judge initiated a formal investigation into Durov, who holds both French and UAE citizenship, for his alleged involvement in operating an online platform suspected of facilitating illegal activities, including child sex abuse imagery, drug trafficking, and fraud.
Moreover, Macron defended the French government’s decision to grant Durov French citizenship in 2021, a move reserved for high-profile figures. He outlined that this policy aims to attract individuals who contribute significantly to France’s wealth and innovation, including artists, athletes, and entrepreneurs, especially those committed to learning the French language and fostering cultural and economic growth.
