Macron Says Not Informed About Durov's Arrival in France in Advance

© AP Photo / Pascal RossignolFrench President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a news conference ahead of the G7 Summit, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Thursday, June 10, 2021
French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a news conference ahead of the G7 Summit, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Thursday, June 10, 2021 - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 30.08.2024
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MOSCOW (Sputnik) - French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday that he was not informed about the arrival of Telegram founder Pavel Durov in France in advance and did not plan to meet with him.
Last Saturday, Pavel Durov, the Russian-born founder of Telegram, was detained at a Paris airport on charges related to the criminal use of his messaging app, including terrorism, child pornography, drug trafficking, money laundering, and fraud.
The 39-year-old billionaire holds citizenship of several countries, including France. On Wednesday, he was released under judicial supervision, banned from leaving France, and ordered to pay a 5 million euro ($5.5 million) bail.
"I was completely unaware of Mr. Durov's arrival in France… It is not true that I invited anyone... I was not supposed to meet with Mr. Durov either at the end of last week or in the following days. I was not aware that he was going to arrive in France," Macron told a joint press conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.
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