Free speech activists stage solo protests in Moscow against Telegram founder's arrest

euronews (in English)

Holding an unauthorised protest in Russia is illegal. Activists have tried to skirt that law by staging single-person pickets but even they are punishable by a fine or up to 15 days in prison. That sentence can rise to five years for a third breach.

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00:00Solo protesters have gathered outside the French embassy in Moscow to call for the release

00:06of Telegram founder Pavel Durov, who was arrested in France on Saturday.

00:12One protester carried a sign calling on the French not to follow in Putin's footsteps

00:16and to respect freedom of speech.

00:19He was later detained by police officers.

00:22Activists in Russia have tried to skirt the ban on unauthorized protests by staging single-person

00:27pickets, but even they're punishable by a fine or up to 15 days in prison.

00:33Russian-born Durov was arrested after landing in his private jet in an airport outside Paris.

00:39The arrest follows an investigation into the lack of moderators on Telegram.

00:44Police allege that allows criminal activity such as drug dealing and pedophilia networking

00:49to take place unhindered on the app.

00:52Telegram has become one of the leading social media platforms, ranking alongside giants

00:56like Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram.

00:59However, it still doesn't meet the requirements of the European Union, which has led to it

01:04being temporarily suspended in some member countries such as Spain.

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