| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, America First Legal (AFL) filed two Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests with the U.S. Department of State to determine whether the Biden-Harris Administration had advance knowledge of or may have played a role in the arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov in Paris, France. On August 28, 2024, French authorities charged Mr. Durov with “a host of crimes,” following his detainment at Paris-Le Bourget Airport on August 24, 2024. Mr. Durov’s Telegram Messenger is one of the world’s most successful and largest messaging platforms. Telegram promises its users that it will protect free speech and prevent government-sponsored censorship. He will have to post bail of €5 million and, if convicted, face decades in prison. Based on reporting from former Department of State official and founder of the Foundation for Freedom Online Mike Benz, there is serious reason to believe that the Biden-Harris Administration may have had advance knowledge of, or even played a role in, Mr. Durov’s arrest. The Biden-Harris Administration, of course, has taken unprecedented steps to increase government surveillance and censorship of U.S. citizens. American First Legal will continue fighting to protect our citizens’ Constitutional right to free speech. Statement from Gene Hamilton, America First Legal Executive Director: |
| “Freedom of speech is fundamental for the flourishing of mankind. The adoption of the First Amendment was not just critical for free speech in the United States–but it also signaled to the world that freedom of speech was essential to fighting tyranny and oppression. The arrest of Pavel Durov is troubling, and the American people have a right to know whether the Biden-Harris Administration had advance knowledge of the plans to arrest Mr. Durov,” said Gene Hamilton. |
Read the FOIAs here and here. |
ABOUT AMERICAN FIRST LEGAL
American First Legal is an organization that is dedicated to advocating for conservative legal principles and protecting constitutional rights. Through its work, American First Legal aims to ensure that the principles of limited government, individual liberty, and free markets are upheld. With a focus on US English, the organization strives to promote clear and accurate communication in legal matters. By engaging in litigation, conducting legal research, and providing educational resources, American First Legal actively works towards defending conservative values and advancing the rule of law. Through its efforts, the organization seeks to have a lasting impact on the legal landscape in the United States.