French President Emmanuel Macron has defended the decision to grant French citizenship to Pavel Durov, the founder of the Telegram messaging app.
Durov received French citizenship in 2021 through a special procedure reserved for individuals who have made significant contributions to France's development.
In a statement reported by Le Figaro, Macron expressed full support for the decision, emphasizing that it aligns with France’s strategy to recognize individuals who contribute to the country’s global influence.
He added that the decision was part of a broader approach to welcoming those who "make the effort to learn French" and who help to "celebrate [France] in the world."
Macron also noted that he was unaware of Durov's visit to France, which led to his recent detention on August 24. The French president clarified that Durov's detention, which lasted for almost two days without official commentary, was not politically motivated.
Durov's detention occurred amid ongoing discussions in the European Union about the regulation of Telegram and other messaging platforms.
