#FreeDurov Updates

India is investigating Telegram for alleged criminal activity, including extortion and gambling, with potential blocking pending the investigation's outcome.

The probe does not involve IT rule violations, as an official confirmed the platform is compliant.

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The UAE has requested consular access for Pavel Durov, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizing that they want to prioritize the welfare of UAE citizens.

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A wave of cyberattacks has hit multiple French websites, including Doctolib and La Voix du Nord. According to cybersecurity expert Clément Domingo, these attacks are linked to pro-Russian hacker groups such as UserSec, RipperSec, Holy League, and Cyber Army Now. The attacks appear to be in response to the recent arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov in France.

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Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino expressed concerns over Pavel Durov’s arrest, stating that if society fails to defend free speech and communication, the future could lead to a new dark age.​

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Pavel Durov is currently detained in Paris, France, for a preliminary investigation. Although he has not officially been charged, his detention is set for 96 hours, after which a judge must determine his status.

Here's more insight into the legality of his detention.

⚫ Garde à vue (Article 63 to 77)
French law allows detainment of 24 hours even without formal charges with possibility of extension for up to 144 hours.

⚫ Warrant of Arrest
Issued by the OFMIN under the National Directorate of the Judicial Police (DNPJ), under the umbrella of the French Ministry of Justice. The warrant is only valid if Durov sets foot in France.

⚫ Citizenship
Durov was gifted a French citizenship possibly under the "distinguished foreigner" process in 2021-2022, subjecting him to French law.

⚫ Moments Before the Arrest
The Telegram founder's jet flew from Baku, Azerbaijan, and landed at the French airport around 7:30-8:00 PM local time. Local reports say he knew he was wanted but chose to land anyway. Others suggest either French authorities directed his flight to land in its territory despite an attempt to fly south or that the jet lacked fuel to leave.

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Telegram Founder Pavel Durov's recent arrest in France has sparked widespread global support, all united in their protection of free speech and digital rights.

Crypto Communities
⚫ TON updated Toncoin’s logo and profile picture to 'Resistance Dog,’ the symbol of Digital Resistance—a movement started by Durov to maintain Telegram users' privacy and protect free speech.
⚫ Memeland used its treasury fund to purchase $1m of TON to support Durov.
⚫ DWF Labs founder Andrei Grachev purchased $500k of TON on the open market.
⚫TRON's Justin Sun called for the creation of a #FreePavel DAO, pledging $1m in support.

Social Media Executives
⚫ X's Elon Musk posted clips of Durov discussing U.S. attempts to access Telegram and his admiration for X, while expressing support with "#FreePavel."
⚫ Rumble's Chris Pavlovski left Europe following Durov's arrest, publicly calling for his release, and is currently engaged in French legal battles over content moderation and free speech.

Free Speech Advocates
⚫ NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden expressed his support, saying it was an assault on basic human rights of speech and association.
⚫ Podcaster Lex Fridman said the arrest was a "disturbing attack on free speech," saying it not only threatened TG, but "any online platform."
⚫ Journalist Tucker Carlson pointed out how Durov left Russia when the government tried to control his social media company but in the end, it wasn't Putin who arrested him but a western country, a NATO country.

Politicians
⚫ Former U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the need to protect free speech has never been more urgent.
⚫ Leader of Reform UK and MP for Clacton, Nigel Farage, said Durov's arrest was "worrying" and that all platforms have bad actors.
⚫ Leader of France's Les Patriotes party, Florian Philippot, said France offered "its tyranical face to the world," saying the arrest was an "attack on freedom of speech."

Communities are urging supporters to join the #DigitalResistance, #FreeDurov movement.

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