The Open Network (TON) Society has issued a passionate open letter to French authorities, demanding the immediate release of Telegram co-founder Pavel Durov following his arrest at Le Bourget Airport on August 24. The letter, backed by the wider #FreeDurov community, condemns the arrest as a violation of fundamental human rights, particularly freedom of speech and privacy.
In the letter, the TON Society argues that Durov’s detention represents a dangerous assault on the principles of free expression and calls for international intervention from bodies like the United Nations and the European Union. They emphasize the importance of encryption in safeguarding these rights, referencing a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights that upheld the necessity of encryption for protecting freedom of expression.
Despite the mounting pressure, French authorities have extended Durov’s detention until August 28, citing an ongoing investigation into alleged illegal activities by a Telegram user. This decision has intensified criticism from tech leaders and free speech advocates globally. French President Emmanuel Macron responded to the backlash by asserting that Durov’s arrest was not politically motivated but part of a judicial investigation, though this has done little to quell the growing concerns.
The arrest has also sparked fears within the tech community, with Rumble CEO Chris Pavlovski fleeing Europe, worried about potential threats to other tech leaders involved in free speech initiatives.
