The #FreeDurov community, led by the TON Society, has called on France to release Telegram founder Pavel Durov, who was arrested on August 25.
The community published an open letter on August 27, describing the arrests as a direct attack on the rights to freedom of expression and privacy, and urging international bodies to challenge France’s actions.
French police arrested Durov at Le Bourget Airport, north of Paris, on the night of August 25. After nearly 48 hours of limited communication, the French prosecutor’s office issued a statement detailing a series of serious charges against him. His detention was extended and could last up to 96 hours.
The arrest resulted in a conviction
The #FreeDurov community condemned the arrest, saying it undermines Durov’s longstanding commitment to ensuring free expression for Telegram’s 950 million users worldwide.
The letter emphasized Durov’s belief that security should be universal, arguing that it is impossible to guarantee secure communications to some people while excluding others.
It also responded to claims about Telegram’s moderation policy, asserting that the platform complies with EU law, including the Digital Services Act. The association argued that Telegram’s moderation policy meets industry standards and continues to evolve.
The letter also raised concerns within the community about Durov’s selective targeting, highlighting that other social media platform leaders have not been arrested despite similar challenges.
Human rights violations
The #FreeDurov community has expressed concerns that the arrests could lead to attempts by French authorities to access user communications, which could potentially violate freedom of expression and privacy rights.
The letter refers to the European Convention on Human Rights, to which France is a party, and emphasizes that these rights are protected under that convention.
It also cited the European Court of Human Rights’ ruling in the Podchasov v. Russia case, which confirmed that encryption is essential to protect fundamental rights, including freedom of expression.
The #FreeDurov community called on France to review its local laws to ensure they are fully compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights and to immediately release Durov.
The letter also calls on international organizations, including the United Nations, the Council of Europe and the European Union, to intervene and uphold the fundamental right to freedom online.