Musk condemns Pavel Durov’s arrest, defends free speech

Durov was arrested by local authorities amid investigation into Telegram's alleged lack of moderation

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has publicly condemned the recent arrest of Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov, who was detained on Saturday at Bourget airport outside Paris.

Durov, arriving from Azerbaijan on his private jet, was arrested by local authorities amid an investigation into Telegram's alleged lack of moderation, which authorities believe has allowed criminal activity to go unchecked on the platform.

Musk, known for his outspoken views on free speech, took to social media to express his disapproval of Durov’s arrest.

He emphasized the importance of free speech protections, particularly under the First Amendment in the United States, and criticized the European approach.

In a pointed remark, Musk quipped, “It’s 2030 in Europe, and people are getting executed for liking memes,” underscoring his concern about the broader implications for freedom of expression.

Musk’s comments come as reports suggest Durov could face up to 20 years in prison.

Meanwhile, the TON blockchain, which is linked to Telegram, saw its associated token plunge by as much as 17% following the news of Durov’s arrest.

The team behind TON reassured its community that the network remains fully operational despite the developments