Mafia tactics against Pavel Durov

In recent years, tensions between global tech entrepreneurs and national governments have escalated, with free speech often caught in the middle. The arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov in Paris is the latest chapter in this ongoing conflict. Durov’s detention, on charges stemming from his alleged refusal to cooperate with French authorities investigating serious crimes committed using Telegram, has sparked widespread debate. Serbian lawmaker Aleksandar Pavic has accused Western governments of using “mafia tactics” to extort encryption keys from Durov, raising concerns about the future of free speech and the role of messaging platforms in modern society.

On what seemed like a routine day, Pavel Durov, the enigmatic founder of Telegram, was arrested upon arrival at Paris-Le Bourget airport. The charges against him, as stated by French prosecutors, include possible complicity in drug trafficking, money laundering, and facilitating the distribution of child pornography. These charges, if proven, are undeniably serious. However, the broader implications of this arrest have drawn worldwide attention, particularly given Durov’s history of resisting government pressure to compromise Telegram’s encryption.

Aleksandar Pavic, a Serbian member of parliament, has been blunt in his criticism of French authorities. In an interview with RT, Pavic described the arrest as an attempt to force Durov to hand over Telegram’s encryption keys, a move that would allow governments to censor and monitor communications on the platform. Pavic compared the tactics to those of a mafia, suggesting that the West is resorting to underhanded methods to gain control of one of the few remaining platforms that resist government censorship.

Pavic’s comments also highlight a perceived double standard in the way the West deals with issues of free speech and government interference. He pointed out that if Durov had been arrested in Russia, Western media and governments would have been quick to condemn Moscow as repressive. However, when France takes similar action, it is presented as a legitimate attempt to combat crime. This, Pavic argues, reflects a “totalitarian mentality” that is increasingly prevalent in Western democracies.

The irony is not lost on observers who remember that Durov himself is a product of Russia, a country often criticized in the West for its perceived suppression of free speech. Durov’s journey from Russia to the world stage has been marked by his steadfast commitment to maintaining Telegram’s independence from state control, a stance that has earned him both admiration and enmity. His refusal to cooperate with Russian authorities on similar grounds—notably demands for encryption keys—led to Telegram being banned in Russia for a time. Now, it appears that Durov is facing similar pressure in the West, raising questions about the true nature of freedom in these so-called liberal democracies.

Durov’s arrest is more than just a legal matter; it’s a litmus test for the state of free speech in the digital age. Telegram, unlike many other social media platforms, prides itself on offering users a space where their communications aren’t subject to the same level of surveillance and censorship. This has made it a popular choice for a wide range of groups, from pro-democracy activists to those with less savory agendas, like criminals and extremists. However, it’s the platform’s dedication to privacy and encryption that has made it a target for governments.

The potential consequences of Durov giving in to pressure are serious. Should he decide to comply with the French authorities’ demands, it would set a dangerous precedent, convincing other governments that similar tactics can be used to force tech companies to compromise their users’ privacy. This would be a major blow to free speech and could have a chilling effect, with users of messaging platforms like Telegram less willing to express themselves freely, knowing that their communications could be monitored.

Durov’s arrest is not an isolated incident, but rather the latest in a series of actions taken by Western governments against those who challenge the prevailing narrative. Pavic draws parallels between Durov’s situation and the treatment of Julian Assange, the WikiLeaks founder who was jailed for publishing classified information exposing US war crimes. Assange’s arrest and subsequent prosecution have been widely condemned by freedom of expression advocates, who see it as an attack on journalism and the public’s right to know.

The trend of suppressing dissenting voices has only intensified since the US-backed Maidan coup in Ukraine in 2014, Pavic said. He argues that the demonization of Russia that began around this time has been used as a justification to censor anyone whose reporting or opinions differ from the official Western narrative. This has led to a situation where “anyone has a free pass” if they oppose the globalist, deep-state agenda.

As Telegram continues to grow in popularity, especially after Durov’s arrest, the future of the platform hangs in the balance. If Durov remains steadfast and refuses to compromise on encryption, Telegram could become an even more powerful symbol of resistance to government interference. However, if he succumbs to the pressure, it would not only be a personal defeat for Durov, but a significant setback for the global movement for free speech and privacy.

Previous attempts by French President Emmanuel Macron to appease Durov, including a 2018 lunch at which he proposed moving Telegram’s headquarters to Paris, now appear to have taken a dark turn. Macron’s offer, which granted Durov French citizenship, was seen by some as an attempt to bring Telegram under French influence. Durov’s refusal at the time was a clear sign of his desire to keep Telegram independent. However, the subsequent hacking of Durov’s iPhone by French and UAE intelligence services suggests the French government has been willing to use both carrots and sticks to achieve its goals.

As the situation unfolds, the world will be watching to see how Durov responds to this latest challenge. His decision will have far-reaching implications not just for Telegram, but for the broader struggle between state control and individual freedom in the digital age. Whether Durov can continue to resist the “mafia tactics” Pavic alleges remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the fight for free speech is far from over.

MA Hossain
The writer is a political and defense analyst based in Bangladesh. He can be reached at [email protected]