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BloombergAug 19
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Has 'Nothing to Hide' After Arrest in France
Above: Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov delivers his keynote conference during day two of the Mobile World Congress at the Fira Gran Via complex in Barcelona, Spain on February 23, 2016. Image copyright: Manuel Blondeau/AOP.Press/Corbis News via Getty Images
The Facts
Messaging app company Telegram posted an official statement on its official channel on Sunday saying that its chief executive officer and owner Pavel Durov has "nothing to hide" and calling his arrest in France on Saturday "absurd.
French Pres. Emmanuel Macron confirmed on Monday that Durov had been detained upon his arrival in France but dismissed rumors of a political reason behind the arrest, following criticism from both the Kremlin and free speech advocates.
The Spin
Narrative A
Now that Durov is in custody, one can only ask what exactly French authorities hope to achieve with that move. It's unlikely that they really believe that the owner of Telegram is responsible for the existence of pedophiles, drug dealers, terrorists, and other criminals, so whatever they say it's clear that his arrest is an attack on free speech and its advocates.
Narrative B
It should be enough of a red flag that Russia and the far-right have joined forces to echo the argument that the arrest of Durov is an attack on free speech. Actually, the investigation is focused on standard crimes committed on his private platform and he has been detained for questioning. Durov is presumed innocent and will be able to defend himself if indicted.