Durov Reveals Reasons Why The European Government Should Not Arrest Him

JAKARTA - Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov regretted the European government's arrest, because Telegram was suspected of being involved in illegal transactions, distribution of images of child abuse, drug trafficking, fraud, and so on.

In a statement sent via its broadcast channel on Telegram, Durov said that the European government should have contacted Durov in another way, instead of arresting him.

French authorities have many ways to contact me to ask for help. As a French citizen, I am often a guest at the French consulate in Dubai," Durov wrote.

He also emphasized that if Europe had problems with a platform, they should have taken action against the platform itself. Because according to him, arresting the CEO for crimes committed by third parties on a platform is a wrong move.

"Using the law before there was a smartphone to sue a CEO for crimes committed by third parties on the platform he manages is a misguided approach," he said.

In fact, Durov does not hesitate if they have to leave a country because it is not in accordance with company principles. For example, when Telegram was blocked in Iran when it refused to block the country's peaceful protest channels.

Finally, Durov also denied accusations by people claiming that Telegram was an anarchic paradise. Because according to him, Telegram has blocked millions of posts and dangerous channels every day.

We publish daily transparency reports (like this or this). We have a live hotline with NGOs to process urgent moderation demand more quickly," he concluded.