Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of telegram, found himself in a legal whirlwind as he was released from police custody and sent to a court in France on August 28. The Paris prosecutor's office revealed that Durov would undergo initial questioning and potentially face indictment following his arrest at Bourget airport near Paris on August 24, as reported by CNN.
Durov's telegram Under Scrutiny for Lack of Moderation
Authorities have raised concerns about telegram's alleged lack of moderation leading to increased criminal activities, prompting the billionaire's detention upon arrival from Azerbaijan. The messaging app has faced accusations of aiding fraudsters, drug traffickers, and individuals involved in distributing child pornography. Additionally, terrorist and far-right extremist groups have reportedly utilized the platform for their illicit operations.
French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the apolitical nature of Durov's arrest, stating that it was part of an ongoing legal investigation and not a politically motivated decision. Macron clarified that the judiciary would determine the outcome of the matter.
Debate Surrounding Freedom of Speech
Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed solidarity with Durov, asserting that the inquiry infringed upon freedom of speech. Musk vocally criticized the investigation, advocating for the protection of individuals' rights to express themselves freely.
In a surprising turn of events, a Russian internet censor pointed fingers at the U.S. government, alleging their involvement in Durov's arrest and suggesting potential motives to influence the price of the ton token, linked to telegram's blockchain project. Yekaterina Mizulina, the head of the Safe Internet League (LBI), claimed that the French authorities acted at the behest of the United States.
Following Durov's detention, the value of the telegram-associated token, Toncoin (ton), plummeted by 17.5%, currently trading at $5.5 according to CoinMarketCap. Trading volume witnessed a substantial increase of 44.9% over the past 24 hours, reflecting market uncertainty in the wake of Durov's legal troubles.
