French Accusations Against Telegram Boss Raise Concerns over Communication Freedom

The Kremlin warned that the serious accusations against Telegram CEO Pavel Durov by France could be seen as an effort to limit communication freedom. Durov, under investigation for child sex abuse images, drug trafficking, and fraud on his platform, was arrested over the weekend.

The Kremlin on Tuesday responded to French accusations against Telegram's CEO, Pavel Durov, cautioning that unless supported by concrete evidence, the charges could be perceived as efforts to curtail freedom of communication.

Pavel Durov, the Russian-born billionaire behind the popular messaging app, was apprehended in France over the weekend. French prosecutors stated that the arrest is part of a broader investigation into alleged criminal activities on Telegram, including child sex abuse imagery, drug trafficking, and fraudulent transactions.

Without sufficient proof, the Kremlin suggests that such allegations risk undermining fundamental communication liberties, raising significant international concerns.

(With inputs from agencies.)