Telegram community condemns Pavel Durov’s arrest in open letter, calls it violation of human rights

The #FreeDurov community's letter called Durov's arrest a direct attack on freedom of expression and privacy principles.

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The #FreeDurov community, led by the TON Society, has called on France to release Telegram founder Pavel Durov, who was arrested by French authorities on Aug. 25.

The community published an open letter on Aug. 27 describing the arrest as a direct attack on freedom of expression and privacy rights and urging international bodies to challenge France’s actions.

French police arrested Durov at Le Bourget Airport, north of Paris, on the night of Aug. 25. Following nearly 48 hours of limited communication, the French Prosecutor’s Office issued a statement detailing a series of grave charges against him. His detention was extended and could last up to 96 hours.

Arrest condemned

The #FreeDurov community condemned the arrest, arguing that it undermined Durov’s long-standing commitment to securing freedom of expression for over 950 million Telegram users worldwide.

The letter asserted that it was impossible to guarantee secure communication for some while excluding others, highlighting Durov’s belief that security must be universal.

It also responded to the allegations concerning Telegram’s moderation policies and maintained that the platform adhered to EU laws, including the Digital Services Act. The society argued that Telegram’s moderation policies met industry standards and continued to evolve.

The letter also highlighted that despite facing similar challenges, no other social media platform leader has been arrested, raising concerns within the community about Durov’s selective targeting.

Violation of human rights

The #FreeDurov community expressed particular concern that the arrest could signal an attempt by the French authorities to access user communications, potentially violating the rights to freedom of expression and privacy.

The letter pointed to the European Convention on Human Rights, to which France is a signatory, emphasizing that these rights were protected under the convention.

It also cited a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights in the CASE OF PODCHASOV v. RUSSIA, which affirmed that encryption was essential for protecting fundamental rights, including freedom of expression.

The #FreeDurov community urged France to review its local laws to ensure full compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights and to release Durov immediately.

The letter also called on international organizations, including the United Nations, the Council of Europe, and the European Union, to intervene and uphold the fundamental right to liberty online.

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