Pressure on Macron over links to Telegram founder

President Macron is under pressure to explain how the founder of Telegram acquired French nationality despite allegations of failing to co-operate in the fight against serious crime.
The questions have surfaced after the Russian-born Pavel Durov, who founded the encrypted messaging platform in 2013, was charged in France with aiding and abetting crimes ranging from child abuse images to drug trafficking and money laundering. Granted €5 million bail, he is not to leave the country.
Under questioning at a hearing behind closed doors on Wednesday, Durov is reported to have mentioned his ties to Macron. The pair have had at least two meetings that never appeared on the president’s official agenda, according to Le Monde.
On Thursday Macron told the press he “was unaware of Durov’s arrival [here] and was not scheduled to meet him”.
When he was arrested after flying into France on a private jet for a dinner party, Durov was asked for a contact by police. He is said to have instructed them to call Xavier Niel, 57, a telecommunications magnate who is close to the head of state.
The disclosures have fuelled suspicions that while French investigators have been targeting Durov for what they say is Telegram’s refusal to co­-operate with them in identifying and stopping criminal activities, Macron has been courting him. The 46-year-old French president is known to be fascinated by technology pioneers. Critics say that he is blind to their failings.
In 2021 Durov was given French nationality under an “emeritus foreigner” procedure. Applicants are supposed to speak French and to have contributed to France’s standing in the world. Le Monde said Durov ticked neither box — but still received a French passport.
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Durov, who is said to be worth $15.5 billion, promptly applied for his name to be Gallicised. He is now listed on French records as Paul de Rove. His supporters say he had backing in high places because of Telegram’s refusal to bow to demands from Russian and Iranian police and intelligence services.
Macron’s reported proximity to Durov suggests that the Kremlin is barking up the wrong tree by suggesting he is the victim of “political persecution”, commentators said.
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Moscow has said it will assist Durov but rejected suggestions that it had struck a deal with him. Telegram has denied any sort of agreement and a Kremlin spokesman said he had no knowledge of Putin ever meeting Durov.
The arrest has thrown a spotlight on the power of social media. His lawyer countered: “It is absurd to think the head of a social media network can be involved in criminal activities that do not concern him directly or indirectly.”