An announcement from the Open Network (TON) Society on March 15 highlighted the return of Pavel Durov’s passport as a significant victory for freedom of expression, digital privacy, and innovation.
As reported by AFP, on the morning of March 15, Durov departed from France for Dubai after receiving clearance from French authorities to leave the country.
“We have supported Pavel since his arrest on August 24, 2024,” stated the TON Society. They further emphasized:
“Pavel’s steadfast dedication to free speech and transparency, even in the face of the most trying situations, serves as a compelling reminder of the importance of upholding one’s ideals, even when it is politically or personally harmful.”
Previously, the TON Society had written a public letter condemning the French government for Durov’s detention and calling for his release from custody.
The TON Society marks the return of Durov’s passport, which was held by French law enforcement. Source: TON Society
“The detention of Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov, is a direct attack on a fundamental human right — the right to free expression for all,” noted the August 27 letter from the TON Society.
At that time, the organization also urged the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and the European Union to take action and advocate for Durov’s freedom.
Advocates for free speech within the crypto sector raised concerns about Durov’s arrest, pointing to alarming consequences for privacy and decentralized technologies amid governmental pressure to silence the internet and the risk of regulatory overreach.
Macron denies any political motives behind Durov’s arrest
After the Telegram founder’s arrest, President Emmanuel Macron asserted that there was no political motivation behind the detention, maintaining France’s commitment to free speech.
President Emmanuel Macron claims there were no political reasons for Pavel Durov’s arrest. Source: Emmanuel Macron
During a later press conference, Macron also dismissed claims that he had invited Durov to France, amidst strong backlash from the crypto community and advocates for free speech.
Chris Pavlovski, CEO of the free-speech video platform Rumble, announced that he was able to leave Europe safely shortly after Durov’s detention.
In an August 25 post on X, Pavlovski indicated that the French government had threatened Rumble, condemning authorities for their crackdown on free expression.
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