Macron defends move to give Telegram’s Chief passport

French President Emmanuel Macron defends a 2021 decision to grant French nationality to Telegram chief Pavel Durov, who was detained in France over the weekend and faces a possible trial related to illegal content carried on his popular messaging app.

Speaking on a visit to Serbia, Macron said he "totally" backed the decision to grant Durov citizenship, adding it was a "strategy" concerning those who "make the effort to learn the French language" and who "shine in the world." Among those also voicing support for Durov is fellow tech tycoon and chief executive of X, Elon Musk, who has posted comments under the hashtag FreePavel.