Telegram Founder Durov Granted 14-Day Departure from France
Telegram founder Pavel Durov has received court authorization to leave France for up to 14 days to travel to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), where Telegram’s headquarters are located. The ruling permits his departure on July 10.
Durov’s request was previously denied by French officials in May; they initially rejected an application to travel to Oslo, Norway, to address the Human Rights Foundation’s Oslo Freedom Forum, forcing the event to proceed remotely.
Durov had previously been granted several weeks of leave in March and April to return to Dubai, a trip the Open Network Society viewed positively, associating it with principles of freedom of speech.
Durov’s case has been closely followed by advocates of free speech, privacy, and cryptocurrency since the earlier travel authorization in March, serving as an indicator of individual liberties in the EU and the wider Western world.
Durov Criticizes French Government in Le Point Interview
In an interview with Le Point, Durov voiced severe criticism towards the French government and President Emmanuel Macron. “Emmanuel Macron isn’t making the right choices,” Durov stated. “I’m very disappointed. France is getting weaker and weaker.”
Durov attributed France’s weakening stance to pro-censorship policies and excessive regulations, which he claims are causing talent to migrate to innovation-friendly jurisdictions. He warned, “When we delay necessary reforms too long, we end up experiencing a collapse,” adding that state-engineered societal changes could have long-lasting, detrimental effects spanning generations.
