OHCHR concerned about Pavel Durov case

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ravina Shamdasani, expressed her concern about the case of Pavel Durov in France.

“This is a very complex issue, and it raises a lot of human rights concerns,” Shamdasani said in response to a question from a Novosti reporter. “Our office plans to publish a document that sets out the criteria by which such a situation should be viewed. Similarly, the blocking of the social networking site X in Brazil raises human rights concerns, as it concerns the responsibility of states to ensure that social media companies comply with the law when allowing freedom of expression, and that restrictions must be proportionate and consistent with international law standards.”

Durov was arrested at Paris-Le Bourget airport on August 24, and his arrest has sparked widespread public outrage in a number of countries. In France, Durov is suspected of ten crimes and felonies, including complicity in running an online platform for the purpose of carrying out illegal transactions by an organized group, and could face up to 10 years in prison.

Durov was released on bail of 5 million euros on August 28, but was banned from leaving French territory and must report his whereabouts to the police twice a week.