Yigit Taha OZTURK 
TON Society released a statement on March 15, declaring the return of Pavel Durov’s passport and his departure from France as a significant victory for free speech, online privacy, and innovation.
According to the AFP news agency, Durov left France for Dubai on the morning of March 15 after obtaining permission from French authorities to exit the European country.
“Standing with Pavel Durov”
TON Society stated, “We have stood by Pavel since his arrest on August 24, 2024.” The statement continued:
“Pavel’s unwavering commitment to free speech and transparency, even under the most challenging circumstances, is a powerful reminder of the importance of standing by your principles, even when it is politically and personally costly.”
French Government Condemned!
Previously, TON Society had strongly criticized the French government’s decision to detain Durov, urging his immediate release as the founder of Telegram.
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In a letter dated August 27, they wrote:
“The arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov is a direct attack on a fundamental human right — the freedom of expression for all.”
The organization also called on international bodies such as the United Nations (UN), the Council of Europe (CoE), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and the European Union (EU) to intervene and demand Durov’s release.
Macron Denies Political Motives Behind Durov’s Arrest
Following Durov’s arrest by French law enforcement, French President Emmanuel Macron denied that the move was politically motivated. Macron insisted France remains committed to free speech, although his remarks were met with skepticism from both the crypto industry and free speech advocates.
In a subsequent press conference, Macron also denied inviting Durov to France, despite widespread backlash from the crypto community.
Meanwhile, Chris Pavlovski, CEO of the free speech video platform Rumble, confirmed that he safely left Europe shortly after Durov‘s detention. In an August 25 post on X, Pavlovski stated that the French government had also threatened Rumble and condemned authorities for cracking down on free speech.
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