The recent arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov in France serves as a stark warning to online platforms that dare to resist censorship, according to American journalist and political commentator Tucker Carlson.
Durov, the Russian tech entrepreneur, was detained at Paris-Le Bourget Airport on Saturday and is scheduled to appear in court on Sunday evening. French authorities had reportedly issued an arrest warrant, citing concerns that Telegram’s lack of moderation has made it a haven for criminal activity.
The news of Durov’s prosecution has sparked widespread concern, with many suggesting that the move could be politically motivated.
“Pavel Durov fled Russia when the government attempted to take control of his social media company, Telegram. Yet, it wasn’t Putin who ultimately arrested him for defending free speech,” Carlson wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday. “It was a Western country—an ally of the Biden administration and a staunch NATO member—that imprisoned him.”
Carlson emphasized that Durov’s arrest serves as “a living warning to any platform owner who refuses to censor the truth at the behest of governments and intelligence agencies.” He added, “Darkness is descending fast on the formerly free world.”
In a rare interview recorded in April, Carlson spoke with Durov about his conflicts with the Russian government and the pressures he faced in the United States. Durov revealed that the U.S. government had attempted to coerce him into installing a surveillance “backdoor” on Telegram—a request he flatly refused.
Elon Musk, the owner of X, also criticized the arrest, commenting, “POV: It’s 2030 in Europe, and you’re being executed for liking a meme,” in response to the unfolding events.