BELGRADE — French President Emmanuel Macron denied claims that he had invited Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov to France, following Durov’s detention and subsequent release on probation in Paris.

Speaking during official talks in Belgrade, Macron dismissed a report by French newspaper Le Canard Enchaine that suggested Durov was invited to the Elysee Palace and was detained upon arrival at Bourget Airport.

"I had absolutely no idea about Durov’s visit to France," Macron said, adding that it would be "wrong" to imply he had invited Durov for a dinner at the presidential residence.

Macron defended his 2021 decision to grant Durov French citizenship, describing it as part of a strategy to award citizenship to influential international figures who contribute positively to France.

He cited similar decisions involving American entrepreneur Evan Spiegel and other prominent athletes and artists.

Pavel Durov, who holds Franco-Russian nationality, was detained on August 24 after arriving from Azerbaijan.

Listed as a wanted person in France, Durov was arrested upon landing and was held by the French National Judicial Police, which had issued a search warrant.

The investigation targeted Telegram’s moderation practices, which authorities allege allowed criminal activities to flourish on the platform.

On August 28, the Paris Public Prosecutor's Office announced that Durov faces 12 charges, including illegal transactions, child sexual abuse, fraud, and refusal to cooperate with authorities.

After being held for 96 hours, Durov was released on a €5 million bail but remains under judicial control, barred from leaving France while awaiting trial.

Prosecutor Laure Beccuau stated that Durov's detention is linked to the "X" investigation, initiated on July 8 by Anti-Organized Crime officers, which culminated in the charges against him. — Agencies