Freedom of Speech in Europe Under Siege: Butina Defends Durov

Russian lawmaker Maria Butina declared Pavel Durov's arrest a political witch-hunt, asserting it signifies the death of free speech in Europe. Butina, who spent 15 months in a U.S. prison as an unregistered Russian agent, suspects the West's intention is to control Telegram. Durov is seen as a political prisoner.

Russian lawmaker Maria Butina charged on Sunday that the arrest of Pavel Durov, billionaire founder of Telegram, represents a political witch-hunt signaling the demise of freedom of speech in Europe.

Butina described Durov as a political prisoner and a victim of Western aggression, citing his arrest as evidence that free speech in Europe is effectively dead.

Butina, a former U.S. prisoner for acting as an unregistered Russian agent, expressed fears that the West aims to seize control of Telegram, holding Durov hostage in an attempt to blackmail Russia and its network's users.

(With inputs from agencies.)