Macron Suggested Durov Move Telegram to Paris, WSJ Reports
According to reports, President Emmanuel Macron had a luncheon meeting with Pavel Durov in 2018, during which he suggested that Durov relocate his company to the French capital. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
In a previously unreported meeting, French President Emmanuel Macron had lunch with Telegram CEO Pavel Durov in 2018, where he suggested that Durov relocate the company’s headquarters to Paris, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.
Durov turned down the proposal at that time, as noted by sources familiar with the discussion. During this meeting, which has only recently been revealed, Macron allegedly mentioned the possibility of granting French citizenship to Durov, who was born in Russia.
The lunch occurred one year after a reported joint operation by French and United Arab Emirates intelligence services, which involved hacking Durov’s iPhone due to concerns over Telegram being utilized by Islamic State for organizing terrorist activities. The Wall Street Journal stated, “Governments have targeted Durov because of the groups that were drawn to his app, which range from pro-democracy demonstrators and dissidents to Islamist militants, drug traffickers and cybercriminals.”
One source informed the outlet that for years, Telegram ignored subpoenas and court orders from law enforcement, with these requests accumulating in a seldom-checked company email inbox.
Recently, the 39-year-old tech entrepreneur was arrested upon his arrival at the Paris-Le Bourget Airport on a private jet. The Paris public prosecutor’s office announced that Durov was detained as part of a wider criminal investigation concerning an unidentified individual. A French judge has already extended his detention twice.
Prosecutors indicated that Durov, who holds multiple citizenships including French, Emirati, Russian, and St Kitts and Nevis, might face charges that could range from complicity in drug trafficking and money laundering to aiding the distribution of child pornography. These potential charges reportedly arise from prosecutors' claims of inadequate content moderation on Telegram and Durov’s alleged inability to curb misuse of the messaging app by malicious entities.
Telegram has refuted allegations of wrongdoing, asserting that the platform adheres to EU regulations, including the bloc’s Digital Rights Act and sanctions on Russia.
While Macron contended that the Telegram founder’s detention was “in no way a political decision,” the arrest has generated criticism towards the French authorities. Notable commentators and activists worldwide have labeled the action as a direct affront to free speech.
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
Durov turned down the proposal at that time, as noted by sources familiar with the discussion. During this meeting, which has only recently been revealed, Macron allegedly mentioned the possibility of granting French citizenship to Durov, who was born in Russia.
The lunch occurred one year after a reported joint operation by French and United Arab Emirates intelligence services, which involved hacking Durov’s iPhone due to concerns over Telegram being utilized by Islamic State for organizing terrorist activities. The Wall Street Journal stated, “Governments have targeted Durov because of the groups that were drawn to his app, which range from pro-democracy demonstrators and dissidents to Islamist militants, drug traffickers and cybercriminals.”
One source informed the outlet that for years, Telegram ignored subpoenas and court orders from law enforcement, with these requests accumulating in a seldom-checked company email inbox.
Recently, the 39-year-old tech entrepreneur was arrested upon his arrival at the Paris-Le Bourget Airport on a private jet. The Paris public prosecutor’s office announced that Durov was detained as part of a wider criminal investigation concerning an unidentified individual. A French judge has already extended his detention twice.
Prosecutors indicated that Durov, who holds multiple citizenships including French, Emirati, Russian, and St Kitts and Nevis, might face charges that could range from complicity in drug trafficking and money laundering to aiding the distribution of child pornography. These potential charges reportedly arise from prosecutors' claims of inadequate content moderation on Telegram and Durov’s alleged inability to curb misuse of the messaging app by malicious entities.
Telegram has refuted allegations of wrongdoing, asserting that the platform adheres to EU regulations, including the bloc’s Digital Rights Act and sanctions on Russia.
While Macron contended that the Telegram founder’s detention was “in no way a political decision,” the arrest has generated criticism towards the French authorities. Notable commentators and activists worldwide have labeled the action as a direct affront to free speech.
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
